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Resident urges independent oversight of jail health services amid allegations of drugs and overdoses
Summary
A resident told the Harnett County Board of Commissioners on June 16 that planned expansion of health services tied to the detention center should have independent oversight separate from the sheriff’s office, citing alleged past overdoses and drug access inside the jail.
HARNETT COUNTY — During the June 16 public comment period, Alan Longman urged the county to ensure proposed expansion of health services related to the detention center is governed independently from the sheriff’s office and called for financial and operational oversight.
Longman said he supports health care but voiced concern about past incidents in which people inside the detention center died from overdoses and alleged that some inmates had access to drugs while incarcerated. "I am for health care completely, but I have my doubts about how efficiently it's going to be run," Longman said, and asked for cameras, oversight of contracts and separation between the sheriff’s office and any unit operating health services.
Longman asked the board to ensure accountability for spending and to appoint an independent manager to oversee health services rather than placing the program under the sheriff’s direct control. No formal staff report or board action was taken during the meeting on Longman’s concerns; commissioners acknowledged the remarks and asked staff to note public comment.
