Agencies still seeking state reimbursement for inmates

By Charlotte Graham, countyreporter@laurelleadercall.com Laurel Leader-Call

LAUREL — Law enforcement agencies across the region are yet to reap the benefits of an amendment approved last session to reduce the amount of money counties have to pay for the medical treatment of state inmates and pre-trial detainees.

Smith County Sheriff Charlie Crumpton said it’s “hard-hitting” when small sheriff’s departments in rural areas like Smith County have to spend thousands to care for state inmates.

“Any time there is a county inmate, the county is solely responsible for caring for the inmate,” said Crumpton. “When we pick someone up for the state for something like violating probation or some other crime, in addition to providing medical care when needed, we have to provide food and clothing.

“The state doesn’t reimburse us until after that person is revoked,” he added. “That could take some time, and in the meantime, we have to pay everything from our budget.”

The new law, which took effect after Gov. Haley Barbour’s signature on April 7th, seeks to limit counties' responsibility when bills exceed standard Medicaid rates or rates paid by the Mississippi Department of Corrections. Rates may vary depending on what kind of procedure or prescription an inmate needs.

Before the change, counties had to pay medical and drug costs for all state inmates. The state then reimbursed the counties at a fraction of the cost. Counties also were responsible for the full cost of care for pretrial detainees — those arrested and waiting to go to court.

“It’s tough because you are always questioned about why the jail budget is over,” said Crumpton. “It’s something you can’t help when the state houses inmates at your facility.

“The way the law is written, while they are here, they are ours to protect and make sure they are properly treated while they are in our custody.”

While Crumpton would only say Smith County spends a substantial amount of money for the care of inmates, Perry County Sheriff Jimmy Dale Smith said his agency spent close to $60,000 last year.

“We budget so much every year,” said Smith. “We have to carry inmates to the doctor if they complain about being sick.

“If we go to the emergency room or if they have to see a specialist, it all comes out of our budget. You’ve got to provide for them. I don’t know of any other way around it.”

Last year, Perry County had an in-house company providing medical care to its inmates. However, because of budget constraints, the county was forced to end the service.

“These medical costs are hitting us hard,” Smith said.

It’s different for Jones County officials. Jones County Administrator Charles Miller said the cost of the medical care of state inmates is not an issue.

“If we have medical concerns, we have a plus here,” he added. “We own the hospital (South Central Regional Medical Center) and we can work out something with them.”

Shaunita Weathersby, public information director for the Jones County Sheriffs Department, said Sheriff Alex Hodge doesn’t make it a habit of housing state inmates. “We barely have enough space for those here in the county,” she said.

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