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| Jail to charge inmates for medical costs |
| By Kane County (Ill.) Chronicle |
| Published: 09/29/2003 |
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Members of the Corrections Committee voted to add a $10 fee to criminal convictions as a way to help defray the cost of inmate health care. The fee may be the first in a series of new charges to inmates as part of a "pay to stay" program at the jail, Sheriff's Cmdr. Pat Keaty said. "We're anxious to get this program up and going," Keaty said. The fee would be added to court costs levied against convicted felons. Keaty said the jail staff has been researching other services for which inmates could be charged. A more comprehensive list of potential fees will be presented at the Corrections Committee meeting in October, he said. "We can charge them to stay and start paying for a new jail," Keaty said. The most recent medical contract for the jail was extended to 17 months to coincide with the renewal of the medical contract for the Juvenile Justice Center. That contract is valued at $1.3 million. The statute authorizing county boards to levy the $10 fee requires the proceeds be spent only on medical expenses incurred by inmates. Keaty said those convicted will be given what amounts to a credit application that will reveal how much inmate is able to pay. Payments will be determined on a sliding scale. "Then it's just a matter of us charging them. We would incorporate all our costs," Keaty said. Macomb County in Michigan is the only other county Keaty was aware of that has started a "pay to stay" program. |
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