Limehouse wants to bill inmates
By Yvonne Wenger
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Read the report Medical Problems of Jail Inmates by the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, highlighting some of the issues associated with providing inmates medical care. (9 page PDF)
COLUMBIA — South Carolina should be coming up with new and creative ways to save tax dollars, according to Rep. Chip Limehouse, including billing inmates more often for health care and other services they receive.
That's the goal Limehouse said he has with legislation he will file Tuesday that would give counties and municipalities more freedom to charge inmates for services, although not everyone is convinced the bill has a practical application, especially when so many inmates are indigent.
"The essence of this legislation is to radically change the way we think about incarceration in South Carolina," said Limehouse, R-Charleston. "If you're capable of paying, why shouldn't you?"
Limehouse's bill could bring good news as health care costs continue to rise, said Kathy Williams, assistant director for the S.C. Association of Counties. Running a jail is one of the costliest services provided by counties and funded by taxpayers, she said.
Limehouse said his bill could lead to policies in local jails that require inmates to pay for the medical attention they receive, fresh towels and even accommodations.
He said it would be another tool to help local governments survive the bad economy.
Rep. Leon Stavrinakis, D-Charleston, said the bill is a great idea but that he does not think it is a solution. Most prisoners in county jails are there because they can't afford to post bond as they wait for a trial.
If they are convicted, they are transferred to a state facility, although some do return to serve out the end of their sentences in county facilities.
Stavrinakis, who served as a former prosecutor and past County Council chairman, said he is not sure counties will adopt any new policies because finding inmates who can pay will be pretty rare, he said.
Officials were receptive to the idea but wanted to hear more details.
Williams said counties currently can charge $5 for non-emergency medical care, such as receiving an aspirin.
Local governments are required to provide access to medical care, but who pays and when responsibility sets in depends on a lot of circumstances.
Sometimes the inmate's insurance pays, and other times the indigent care fund or an outside hospital picks up the tab.
Anything that could reduce inmate costs would be welcome, said Capt. Terry Van Dorn, jail director for Dorchester County Detention Center; Mitch Lucas, Charleston County chief deputy and jail administrator; and Dan Moon, Berkeley County sheriff's public information officer.
Health care costs for inmates vary by county because of the size of inmate population and the services provided. In Charleston next year, the cost is expected to run about $4 million. Berkeley County spent about $250,000 on inmates' medical care this year, and Dorchester spent about $450,000.
Reach Yvonne Wenger at 803-799-9051 or ywenger@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
malthus (anonymous) says...
I would love to see a break down on costs for inmate services because I believe more inmates are capable of paying than anyone wants to admit. If the majority of inmates were indigent, then there wouldn't be commissary services offering everything from candy and sodas to clothing and hygiene items. I would like to know how much inmates spend on luxury items and how much the tax payers spend on providing cheap health care to these same inmates.
June 14, 2009 at 2:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Eye_on_You (anonymous) says...
right on malthus
June 14, 2009 at 7:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realamerican (anonymous) says...
Limehouse is another one of the pandering political class that stirs up controversy to draw attention to themselves when they in fact have nothing really to say.
As long as the voters of SC play the game these pandering politicians lay out the longer our state will be at the bottom of the nation in everything that matters.
Instead of worrying about charging someone in jail who CAN"T WORK. Why doesn't Limehouse tell us why if he has been such a good steward of the public interest our state is at the bottom of the national heap. What has Limehouse done to serve the people of our state?
Expect more fake controversy from this fake christian hack. Election time will soon be upon us and this ineffective pandering political piece of trash is reverting to the tried and true way to deflect attention from his failure to address real ways to move our state forward and instead manufactures fake controversies to draw attention to himself.
Voters like malthus fall for these ploys with reckless abandon while their state crumbles around them. Instead of stirring up fake controversy maybe Limehouse can aname one thing he has done to make our state better instead of serving himself at our expense.
Don't fall for these ploys voters! Remember them and vote the bums that use them OUT!
June 14, 2009 at 7:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realamerican (anonymous) says...
I wonder what Limehouse proposes to do if the inmates don't pay their bills? Jail them longer? Great that will save the state lots of money.
June 14, 2009 at 7:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
prettywoman2457 (anonymous) says...
I think they should grow what they eat and sell the surplus. Provide them only with the essentials such as sugar.
Farming never hurt anyone and in this case can benefit them and the surrounding community.
June 14, 2009 at 7:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hln051305 (anonymous) says...
I feel that the state needs to fit the bill he knew that when spoke. The people in jail if they could pay wouldn't be there in the first place. I'm so amazed at how our country is becoming more and more like the other hypocritical countries around the world. What will happen when you already know that they can't pay? Will you refuse them medical treatment and then they die? I see many states shelling out much more money in neglect law suits. I say we are in America where the rich cheat and the poorer American get screwed over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 14, 2009 at 7:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
malthus (anonymous) says...
First off RA I never voted for Limehouse and I have always felt Inmates should have to pay their way. I detest the idea of an inmate sitting around watching cable paid for by the tax payers. Good idea Pretty woman except for the sugar, inmates can use that to make homemade alcohol called "buck".
Remember realamerican anyone can have a good idea once in their life and I feel that Stavrinakis is incorrectly portraying inmates as being poor. If they did not have any money how do they buy their honeybuns? Jails should charge inmates fees to cover everything issued to them, if they are cleared of their charges that money is refunded upon release. Jails need to be less like a resort and more of a deterrent, unless you want a trip to the lockup to be like a vacation as realamerican obviously does. There are programs that can allow inmates to keep jobs and earn income like work release, and guess what those programs usually require inmates to pay "rent" and keep their jobs. I think it is time to expand that practice.
June 14, 2009 at 8:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
It of far greater interest to me to know that folks who improperly jail innocent people through SHAM JUDICIAL PROCESS are prosecuted and sitting in that county jail.
June 14, 2009 at 8:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
malthus (anonymous) says...
Although you did make a valid point Realamerican, There has been no real action yet because the bill, if it even exists, is obviously sitting on a politicians desk. This story would have been better off released after the bill was signed into law, not just a pipe dream. In all likelihood it will end up in a shred bin.
June 14, 2009 at 8:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hln051305 (anonymous) says...
The law says you can't be refused medical treatment for their inability to pay. The law still applies in this case as well so they have to fit the bill. I say this is the duty they have to abide by and agree or otherwise not.
June 14, 2009 at 8:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nbaby127 (anonymous) says...
I am so sick of this ..I can't not understand all the blue collar people in this system..All hear is how the prison's are over crowded Will you have some inmates are getting out in a year..and have been in for 10+ years so why can they just let them out now.AND the first timers who never had a record and just happen to mess up that one time ..they should get a second chances..It is all about common sense...How to make it work.Well my son is in ridgeland YES he is a first timer..well he was working but the company contract ended ..he wants to go back to work but they have nothing else coming in..Ho yes and they use to train see and eye dogs and still have the kennels just sitting there..empty..And all the land out there.Grow there own veggies..get some cow ,pigs,chicken,Let the prisons work for its self..NOTHING BUT COMMOM SENSE....Please someone pass this on...
June 14, 2009 at 8:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rollnwflo (anonymous) says...
I can see it all now, a bunch of them sitting around a table saying silly things like "outside the box" and one of them threw this one out. That's all okay, we need to consider everything, no sacred cows. As a state with the issues (buzzword for problems)that South Carolina faces, we as the citizens of this state need to read our budget and make our representatives aware of our viewpoint. They have shown us that they are unable to make difficult decisions and we have no choice but to be involved, its is irresponsible at this point not to be involved in our own state's affairs.
June 14, 2009 at 9:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
malthus (anonymous) says...
hln051305 there is not a question of not providing the care, but setting a higher charge. Like when your insurance copayments go up and your doctor's visit costs more. Also these charges are only for non emergency medical care. Emergency medical services for inmates are always provided and indigent inmates are not charged. The issue here is more about elective health care, like getting aspirin for headaches or getting a tooth filled.
June 14, 2009 at 9:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wjhamilton3 (anonymous) says...
It's possible the cost of preparing bills and attempting collect by hiring staff and equipment won't be covered by the amount collected. The prisoner's funds at the Jail are usually small amounts donated by family. If the family had a lot of money, the inmate would probably have been able to post bond.
I'm sure there are a few inmates who could pay. It probably won't cover the costs of collection, but it will make people happy to believe we're being "tough on crime" by requiring inmates to "pay their own way." We could, of course, make them pay for their food as well.
In the end we'll have file boxes full of collection letters, which the county will then pay to store for years.
Nearly everyone in Jail is dirt poor. Their families are poor as well.
June 14, 2009 at 10:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dhshjh (anonymous) says...
Inmates don't usually buy there own food. Families and friends send them small amounts of money to buy a few extras and it is very expensive, way more than outside the jail.
The people that didn't commit the crime are the people who would suffer, not the inmate, because they would want to see the person inside get medical care. I think there should be jobs in the jail that the inmate would have to do to get extras or pay for their medical care. Money should not be allowed from the outside.
I have seen inmates give their families all kinds of horror stories to get money from them. Some true, some not.
The outside person does not know what is going on so tries to help.
Remember, there are people who still love these people that have committed crimes.
June 14, 2009 at 11:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mrernurse47 (anonymous) says...
are you kidding,,,,,they're unemployed,undereducated,shifty,worthless,leeches on society,,,thats why they're in jail.....
June 14, 2009 at 11:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
postman01 (anonymous) says...
I'm so stupid of stupid politicians that are money grubbers talking about BILLING PEOPLE for taxpayer funded services. Someone in jail, unless they have money in the bank, doesn't have it. How can anybody be so utterly retarded as to seek money from those who do not have it?
I hate to agree with realAmerican about anything, but I have seen and heard enough of Chip Limehouse's retarded fulminations that I've concluded he's not intelligent enough to be in the state legislature. I'm a conservative and an easy way to enrage me is for one of our own to talk like an imbecile and therefore give LEFT WINGERS an excuse to call us stupid.
June 14, 2009 at 11:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realamerican (anonymous) says...
Posted by postman01
"I hate to agree with realAmerican about anything"
I'm a conservative and an easy way to enrage me is for one of our own to talk like an imbecile and therefore give LEFT WINGERS an excuse to call us stupid.
----------------------------------------------
Thank you postman01 for agreeing with me.
You DUMMY :^)
June 14, 2009 at 12:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sardis12 (anonymous) says...
$5 for an aspirin?
June 14, 2009 at 6 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jcncamscott (anonymous) says...
Heck yeah, make all the inmates either pay for what they eat or grow and harvest it themselves. If jail wasn't so cushey with three hot squares a day and T.V., it would be sooooo less inviting!
June 14, 2009 at 6:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
malthus (anonymous) says...
First off there are a lot of misconceptions that are skewing the comments away from the point. If an inmate is indigent, or broke, they are not charged. The point made by wjhamilton3 is not correct as the billing procedures are already in place, the only change will be the amount collected. There is no collection process, if the person has no money they cannot be charged. Second, commissary services are a massive business because, guess what, many inmates do have money.
Maricoba County in Arizona has found many ways to make inmates become self sufficient (at least partially) check out a system that works!
June 14, 2009 at 7:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realamerican (anonymous) says...
Uh malthus, the sheriff of Maricopa couny is under investigation for violating prisoners rights and also racial profiling, illegal searches and various other illegal and questionable ethical acts. He will most likely at some point be removed from office, tried and go to jail himself.
I don't think we need to add cruelty and torture on top of prisoners sentences. That is why politicians bring topics like these up, they know a certain bloodthirsty and ignorant block of voters approve of outlandish schemes if it targets prisoners or others they feel safe in demonizing for their own gain.
Judging by your comment it appears Limehouse has certainly hit pay dirt with you. It is voters like yourself that fall for these simple ploys and act on them by voting for the bums that keep our state at the bottom of the heap.
Why don't you move to Arizona?
June 14, 2009 at 7:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
malthus (anonymous) says...
Actually realamerican check into some of the programs that that sheriff has enacted. Today he fed the entire jail a nutritious meal that was funded through donations from the department of agriculture and the Shriners. Ten thousand meals prepared that cost the tax payers nothing and did not infringe on anyone's rights. How does that not work? How does that not help reduce inmate costs? How does that not help the county balance their budgets? In a time when every penny counts ignorant, close mindedness will not help conditions. You obviously care more about insulting people and clinging to media induced paranoia. Whether or not you agree with every action someone takes, it is foolish not to follow their example when they do something positive. If you go to the website I listed above there are a lot of programs featured that help reduce crime problems and inform the general public about efforts being taken. You probably were one of those who felt that the rapper jailed in Maricoba County was violated because he had to wear a pink uniform. You probably think jail should be a resort. I guess Limehouse did hit pay dirt, because even though I refuse to vote for him, I do like the idea he threw out. And what keeps our state from improving is all the dead weight supported through welfare, the failure of law enforcement to persecute businesses that hire and house illegal aliens and the general resistance to any form of enterprise that offers growth or better jobs. Who here remembers the opposition to the port expansion?
June 14, 2009 at 8:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CHRISJIII (anonymous) says...
Another dumb half thought out idea by the GOP. Have the inmates pay for healthcare? It's probably not even consititutional. Sounds like another idea to get attention. As someone wrote earlier, what are you going to do to those who don't pay?
June 15, 2009 at 10:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hln051305 (anonymous) says...
The inmates are in their care and they have to fit the bill!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The law will never pass and he's blowing hot air.
June 16, 2009 at 4:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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