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Sawyer County jail hires full-time nurse, moves to expand in-jail MAT services
Summary
The Sawyer County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council heard updates that the jail has hired a full‑time nurse and is finalizing arrangements to expand medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and on‑site injections, while daily population and supervision counts remain steady.
The Sawyer County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council was told on Oct. 8 that the county jail has added a full‑time nurse and is moving to expand medication‑assisted treatment (MAT) and on‑site clinical services for inmates.
Council members were given an update on the jail population: an average daily population of about 64 inmates in September (reported at 65 when the report was generated), including nine females and 55 males. At the time of the report, the jail listed 23 inmates in probation‑related custody, 23 in pre‑sentence incarceration and 18 serving sentence time; five people were on electronic monitoring. The jail reported an unemployment rate at booking of 69%.
The council heard that a nurse funded through a recent grant has been on staff for about a month and is handling medication distribution and scheduling MAT appointments with Lac Courte Oreilles (LCO). Staff said the new nurse is working mornings and managing medication administration and referrals to community‑based induction services.
Officials described a memorandum of understanding being negotiated to allow LCO nurses to come on site and administer injectable treatments, which staff said would reduce deputy transports for medical appointments. Council members were also told the jail will draw on protocols observed during a site visit to New Mexico and guidance from Wood County, which has a fully implemented in‑jail MAT program, to shape local induction procedures.
Council discussion focused on logistics and coordination with tribal health partners; staff said additional meetings with LCO are needed to finalize how inductions and on‑site injections will be handled.
The report did not include a vote or formal action. Council members noted the nursing hire and MOU negotiations as operational improvements intended to keep deputies on patrol and reduce off‑site medical transports.
The council also noted ongoing work to complete a jail survey that includes updated MAT questions; the last comparable survey was completed in 2021, and staff said they will supply updated responses.
