Inmate medical expenses on the rise

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November 16, 2007

By DENISE A. RAYMO The Press Republican Fri Nov 16, 2007, 05:48 AM EST

MALONE -- Franklin County has paid nearly $320,000 for medical care for County Jail inmates this year, an increase of $150,000 from 2006.

Some was spent on an inmate who needed a pacemaker implanted, and another had a baby while incarcerated.

Several inmates have had hospital treatment for severe diabetes, while still others are having trouble as they recover from drug- and alcohol-abuse addictions.

But, no matter what the ailment or malady, once the doors slam behind someone housed at the Bare Hill Road facility, their medical problems become the county's responsibility, said Sheriff Jack Pelkey.

"Inmate health care is mandated," he said. "By law, we have to provide proper care."

Last year, the county spent $174,343 for prescriptions, hospital care, dental costs, eye-care expenses, a nurse and a physician.

In 2007, the cost has swelled to $320,286 so far, with about six weeks left in the year.

There is some reimbursement through Medicaid, but it is not enough to cover the actual costs incurred.

So far, $50,000 has been transferred from a contingency account to the jail for medical costs, but more will likely be needed.

"We're in the process of hiring an RN to help out," the sheriff said, referring to a registered nurse to be added to the staff to care for inmate needs.

Nursing services are offered one day a week, as are physician visits to the jail. Inmates see medical personnel by filling out a sick-call form.

But, in emergencies, the nurse or doctor can be called in to treat an inmate, Pelkey said.

"And part of the problem this year is that we've been filled to capacity," he said. "Right now, we're at 100.

"We can fit 119, but 119 is deceiving because you have to separate the adults from minors."

That housing crunch might be eased a little now that two former medical holding cells have been converted into segregated-inmate cells.

These two cells were the object of frustration earlier this year when the county -- as a result of a state inspection -- had to hire a specialist to install secure skylights into the re-enforced jail ceiling to allow inmates access to direct, natural sunlight.

Another break will come when the law library is converted into more cells, which should be finished before the end of the year.

The jail is the second county department to serve up a heavy financial punch to the County Legislature.

Another arm of government that deals with the criminally accused, the Public Defender's Office, is also costing more in 2007.

It has racked up $198,000 in assigned-counsel expenses so far and could need as much as $40,000 more in the coming weeks to cover all year-end bills.

draymo@pressrepublican.com