Commissioners authorize MOU with Permian/Premier Care for jail-based competency restoration

The Midland County Commissioners Court authorized a memorandum of understanding with Permian/Premier Care on Nov. 18 to formalize a jail-based competency restoration program that restores defendants' competency while they remain in county custody.

Chris Barnhill, identified himself as "CEO with Premier Care" (speaker 14) and said the program is not new in practice but requires a formal MOU for a Texas Health and Human Services audit. He said the model allows clinicians to restore competency in the jail rather than wait months for inpatient hospital admission, and that the program does not ask Midland County for additional funding: "We don't ask for any funding from Midland County for this," he said (Chris Barnhill, speaker 14).

County staff and the sheriff explained the MOU had been reviewed by the county attorney; the court authorized the county judge to sign the agreement. Supporters said the MOU documents an operational relationship that has existed in practice and will satisfy upcoming audit requirements.

The approval includes only authorization for the county judge to execute the MOU; operational details (billing, staff access to the jail, and clinical protocols) were described as already agreed upon between the provider and the sheriff's office and will be handled under the MOU and existing policies.