Monday, March 16, 2015
Proposal Will Require Inmates To Help Pay Their Own Way
In an effort to offset costs associated with a rising jail population, the Lawrence County Sheriff's Department and the county commission have partnered this month to propose legislation that will require inmates to pay for many of the services they utilize while incarcerated.
"This is a common sense move that will help our county offset some of the costs associated with running a jail facility the size of ours," said Sheriff Jimmy Brown. A majority of the costs Brown speaks about is related directly to inmate medical costs which cost Lawrence County hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. "Once an inmate is booked into our jail, we assume liability for the inmate per state law. So if they have to go to the doctor or the emergency room, the county is legally responsible for most of the costs associated with the visit," Brown added.
According to Brown, in the past there was no viable way to force inmates pay for the services they receive while incarcerated. That changed a couple months back when the jail added a commissary program which allows inmates to put money onto an account to purchase items such as food, drinks and hygiene products.
"If an inmate has a balance on their commissary account, we will now be able to charge fees for many of the services they receive while in jail," according to Jail Administrator Lt. Jamie Mahar. The proposed medical fees will include a $20 per hospital visit fee, $12 per doctor/dentist visit fee and a $3 prescription fee.
Inmates will also be assessed a $1.00 per month fee for TV privileges and various other fees for items such as pillows, mattresses and uniforms. Mahar notes that while each fee may not be high, the revenues will add up when multiplied by the total population of the jail which averages over 260 inmates on a daily basis.
"This innovative move will not only generate additional revenues to help offset costs associated with our jail, it will hopefully also deter inmates from abusing the system, especially in the medical area, when they come to jail," said Commissioner Chris Jackson, a sponsor of the resolution.
"This proposal is a win-win for our county as it will allow taxpayers to save more of their hard earned money and will allow county government to spend tax dollars in important areas such as education and economic development rather than on incarceration," Jackson added.
