By Patty Yauger
Herald-Standard
FAYETTE COUNTY, Pa. — The Fayette County Prison Board will work with various agencies to amend current policies that are not allowing those in police custody to be incarcerated at the prison due to a real or perceived injury or illness.
The Fayette County Prison Board will work with various agencies to amend current policies that are not allowing those in police custody to be incarcerated at the county lockup due to a real or perceived injury or illness.
Tammy Lambie, county deputy court administrator, said Wednesday there have been instances where a person who has appeared before a magisterial district judge for arraignment is taken to the jail without notifying the court or the officer of any injury or illness.
However, when the person arrives at the jail, the medical or health issue is brought to the attention of those at the prison. Because there is no medical staff at the prison during the overnight hours to address the issue -- and whether the person should be admitted to the prison -- admittance is denied.
Warden Brian Miller said that the medical staff has the final authority about prisoner medical issues.
"(County healthcare carrier) PrimeCare’s policy is that if they are not fit for incarceration, they won’t allow that inmate to be incarcerated,” said Miller. "(Should the inmate be incarcerated) PrimeCare has no liability or are accountable for the incarceration.”
Lambie said that some medical issues are easily resolved, but the policy benchmarks prohibit a smooth transition from the court to the prison.
Jason Cox, Uniontown police chief, said that strict policies must be eased to allow the incarceration system to work in varying circumstances.
In most cases, local police bring those charged with various offenses to the county booking center for arraignment.
The system is to allow the municipal officer to return to their duties, said Cox.
Part of the process at that level is to identify any medical or health issues, and to document them before the prisoners are taken to the county lockup.
However, there are infrequent instances when the prisoner refuses medical treatment, resulting in delays between the booking center and prison, said Cox.
“If we could just get a chain of command that could address those instances when we go outside the normal parameters and work these things out,” he said.
County Commissioner Vincent Zapotosky said one problem is that the jail does not have 24 hour medical care.
“After the whistle blows, the only determination that we have to make a medical decision comes from laymen,” he said, adding that police or prison personnel are not qualified to make medical assessments.
A lack of medical attention could result in litigation.
“Do we discuss with PrimeCare the addition of medical staff?” Zapotosky asked.
While conceding that additional staff would address the problems, Miller said that the cost to the county would be exorbitant.
“They probably could start tomorrow, but the premium will be more expensive,” he said.
Miller said that he favored the additional medical staff and suggested having the staff at the booking center.
The board took no action in the matter.
In other business, the prison board advised Rev. Terry Sanders, prison chaplain, to seek other liability insurance quotes in order to determine if his monthly stipend of $350 can be increased.
Currently, Sanders is paying about $150 per month for the insurance.
Because he is not employed by the county, Sanders can not be added to the county policy, said Controller Sean Lally, and must bear the cost himself.
“Basically I’m paying the county to work,” said Sanders.
Board members asked that Sanders seek other insurance quotes and submit them to Lally.
Copyright 2013 Herald-Standard (Uniontown PA)
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