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Lawrence County prison board reviews inmate population, medical costs and $244,500 mental‑health subsidy
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Summary
The Lawrence County Prison Board reviewed jail population numbers, discussed medical costs for inmates housed outside the county and a reported $244,500 subsidy from Mental Health and Disability Services to help cover prime care costs. Board members approved routine minutes, the population report and monthly bills.
The Lawrence County Prison Board on April 15 reviewed the jail’s current population and the county’s exposure to medical costs for inmates housed outside the county. Warden reported the jail was holding 159 inmates, including four juveniles and 21 females, with 14 inmates being held for other facilities and six housed outside the jail.
"We currently have a 159 inmates at the Blooms County Jail. We've got 4 juveniles. We've got 21 females," the Warden said, reporting the facility census. Chair noted ongoing or intermittent expenses associated with medical care for inmates placed in out-of-area facilities and asked whether any inmates were currently hospitalized and whether the county was paying those bills.
The board discussed recent outreach to Mental Health and Disability Services (MHTS). Chair said he contacted MHTS and received an email from Director Baldwin indicating the agency had "agreed to give approximately $240,000" toward coverage of prime care costs; the chair later cited an exact figure of $244,500. The board also discussed access to unspent regional forensic dollars after the fiscal year ends as a potential supplementary source of funding.
Board members did not take additional formal action on new funding at the meeting but agreed to revisit available mental‑health funding later in the fiscal year, around July or August, and to consider including requests for fiscal year 2027 if appropriate.
The board also noted facility-maintenance issues tied to inmate care logistics: several inmates are being housed in other facilities, which could affect revenue and expense projections if placements change. The warden described ongoing preparations for an August state inspection and listed several maintenance items under way, including elevator parts and repairs to windows and doors.
The meeting ended after routine approvals. The board approved the March minutes, accepted the population report and authorized payment of the monthly bills.
The board said it will follow up on funding opportunities with MHTS and may revisit subsidy options when more fiscal-year-end data are available.
