Medical co-pays for sentenced jail inmates initiated

Medical co-pays for sentenced jail inmates initiated

Medical co-pays for sentenced jail inmates initiated

YOUNGSTOWN

The Mahoning County commissioners have approved co-payments by sentenced county jail inmates for consultations with jail nurses and physicians.

The co-payments will be $5 for each consultation with a nurse and $10 for each consultation with a physician.

The money collected will pay for jail operations and such things as purchases of cameras, computers, and security upgrades, said Sheriff Jerry Greene. “I’m hoping it’s going to generate $5,000 to $10,000 a year,” the sheriff said.

Besides raising revenue, the fees will likely help discourage unnecessary medical consultations, the sheriff said.

The co-payments will be deducted from inmates’ commissary fund accounts.

No inmate will be denied medical service due to inability to pay, the sheriff said.

About 30 percent of the 480 inmates now housed in the county jail have been sentenced, said Maj. Alki Santamas. The remainder are awaiting disposition of their cases.

These new fees are in addition to a $40 inmate reception fee, a $25 sex offender registration fee, and fees for criminal background checks and foreclosures, which the sheriff initiated to generate revenue shortly after he took office Jan. 7.