COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Branch County Sheriff John Pollack expressed his satisfaction during Thursday’s County Commissioners work session about how a new service for inmate medical needs is working out at the Jail.
The service was approved in February by the Commissioners. Advanced Correctional Healthcare submitted the only bid of over $232,000.
The cost covers a 40-hour-a-week registered nurse as well as access to a doctor when needed. It also includes an annual pool of $40,000 for offsite medical care.
Any leftover money at the end of the year would be reimbursed back to the Sheriff’s Department.
Pollack said there has been a 65 percent reduction in the need for some of the inmate medications after a review of their health records.
Commissioner Terri Norris said some citizens have expressed concerns to her about the amount of medications that have been taken away.
The Sheriff acknowledged there has been some grumbling from inmates because they feel they are not getting the medications they need.
Pollack added the new system allows for a more intense inmate-physician relationship.
Branch County and other counties have been contracting medical needs service out in order to reduce liability.
