Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Medical costs put NC jail in the red

The cost of housing prisoners has been discussed at several meetings over the past few years but the issue in Nevada County is quickly becoming more demanding as county officials consider ways to address the costs.

There are several important points, according to those most closely involved in the situation.

Nevada County Sheriff Bobby Carlton said there are two major expenses related to holding prisoners - the cost of housing Nevada County prisoners in other jails and the cost of medical bills for prisoners.

Were way in the red on the medical, Carlton said.

Carlton cited two recent ambulance transports, at least one hospitalization including a stay in the intensive care unit and routine dental visits as the most expensive.

Prisoners rights - including the right to medical care - became a national topic of discussion in the 1960s. Among the rights guaranteed to prisoners, is the right to adequate health care. The cost of that health care typically falls to the county and Carlton said that cost is a major expense of the operation of the county jail.

Carlton said prisoners right to health care cant be denied and said many prisoners ask for medical and dental care during their stay in jail.

Many of the prisoners being held in the county jail were initially arrested by the Prescott Police Department. Eighth Judicial District Deputy Prosecutor and county attorney Dana Stone said she had been asked when the prisoners become the sole responsibility of the county. Stone said it appears that city prisoners become the countys responsibility once theyve been formally charged with a crime. Until that point, the city pays the cost of meals for their prisoners. After the information is filed with the court, the cost falls to the county.

Stone said shed also found an opinion ruling from the Arkansas Attorney General that indicates that the city is not responsible for medical bills.

Carlton said there is currently a lawsuit before the state Supreme Court that could change how those expenses are divided.

Meanwhile, Carlton said he plans to ask the Nevada County Quorum Court to consider contracting medical services to a nurse practitioner - a plan already in place in Hempstead County. He said that person would operate under the direction of a physician but would visit the jail at least two times each week to evaluate inmates complaints.

Another point being considered is whether pre-existing illnesses should be covered by the county. Carlton said there are many prisoners who arrive in jail and immediately request dental appointments to fix problems that have existed for long periods prior to the incarceration.

Carlton said that one option being considered is to request that the courts include restitution in fines levied against the prisoners. For example, a person who sees a dentist will likely land the county with a bill of at least $300. Carlton said he plans to ask the courts to add that amount to any fines the prisoner is eventually required to pay and that the money go back into the countys funds.

Carlton said the only other major expense facing the county jail is the cost of housing prisoners in other facilities. He said that work on the jails plumbing will help that problem to some degree, providing additional cell space.

Carlton said Monday that he plans to bring the issue of a nurse practitioner before the quorum court during the April meeting.

Library budget

The city and county have also been at odds over the cost of operating the Prescott-Nevada County Library and the topic continues to be discussed at quorum court meetings. According to Nevada County Judge Baker Butler, the city has not yet paid their portion of the librarys operating budget for this year. The county contributes the money from a sales tax toward the operation while the city budgets a set amount annually, but withheld payment until late in the year in 2006.

Prescott City Manager Billy House said the city budgeted $40,000 for this years operating expenses for the library, but said he doesnt believe the city has made a payment to the county as of Monday, March 19.