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| Inmate Prescription Drug Costs Taking Toll on Penn. Jail Budget |
| By Washington Observer Reporter |
| Published: 11/26/2002 |
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The cost of providing prescription drugs for inmates at Washington County Jail has doubled in the past year. At the county prison board's monthly meeting on November 20, Controller Mike Namie said he was asked by budget director Roger Metcalfe to point out that the jail has spent about $115,000 in drug costs for its inmates this year. The jail had budgeted just $42,000 for the expense this year, although it had spent $69,815 last year. 'This means the jail will be going over budget this year,' said Metcalfe. The added expense is another complication for Metcalfe as he continues to try to balance the county's 2003 budget, which has at least a $1.2 million deficit. Under Pennsylvania law, a correctional facility is responsible for paying the cost of all inmates' medical and prescription drug needs. The cost is no longer paid by any government assistance program, such as Medicaid or Medicare. Warden Joseph Pelzer said the increase in drug costs is due to the high number of prisoners who are coming into the jail while on psychotropic medications. Psychotropic medications treat and control symptoms of psychiatric conditions, including psychosis, depression and anxiety. Commonly prescribed medications include Thorazine, Haldol, Librium, Valium and Prozac. 'They're prescribed these drugs when they're on the street. Then they come in on psychotropic drugs, and the doctors are reluctant to take them off,' Pelzer said. 'They're put on two or three drugs, and you don't know which drug is working.' In addition, Pelzer explained that several inmates are HIV-positive and need medication that easily costs $5,000 a month. 'It's a burden on our county budget,' Pelzer said. 'Unfortunately, we got hit hard this year.' Prison board Chairman John C. Pettit said that he may be able to fight some of the costs in his role as district attorney. 'I suggest that as such an inmate comes in, you write or advise me of the situation,' Pettit said. 'Perhaps we'd be able to process the inmate sooner,' especially if the prisoner faces a state prison sentence. 'Maybe we can move these people along,' he said. Pettit also suggested trying to convince county judges to allow more prisoners to serve their sentences on electronic home monitoring. The county is then not responsible for the prisoner's health-care costs. |
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