CLARION, Pa. (EYT) — Drug-related issues dominated the discussion of the Clarion County Prison Board at its Thursday morning meeting. The topics ranged from hopes for a new drug that may eliminate the desire to use opioids to an increased jail population to growing medical costs and requests related to those jailed because of meth arrests.
Warden Jeff Hornberger reported the overall $2.6 million budget was in good shape, but food and medical expense are the two highest cost centers. As of the end of October, medical costs were at $168,260.02 and food at $139,838.06.
“I don’t know what it is out there, but everybody comes to jail, and they want to have all of their illnesses taken care of,” said Hornberger.
“We’re doing what is necessary. The psychiatrist’s bills are high, and I talked to him this morning. I told him he is a professional, and he has to do what he has to do and (asked) if there are any alternatives or generics.”
The psychiatrist saw a total of 16 inmates during October, and the counselor had 237 visits.
Hornberger also pointed out dental visit requests, but the jail limits what it will allow a dentist to work on.
“As far as the dentist, I tell the doctor all of the time — to have somebody’s teeth extracted it’s a preexisting condition, and its something we didn’t create. Unless they’re abscessed, I don’t want to have it done unless it’s medically necessary.”
“A lot of people are coming in, and quite frankly, with what we refer to as meth teeth, and they’re starting to rot out because of the chemicals they used. I don’t think we should be on the hook. If it’s medically necessary, we’re going to take care of it, but if you have a cavity, it is something that did not happen in jail, and it’s a preexisting condition.”
The prison board also discussed the use of a new drug Vivitrol. A once monthly injection of Vivitrol could help prevent relapses for opioid and alcohol abuse, and the first prisoner may soon receive such an injection. The program is voluntary and free for the prisoner, and the injection lasts for 30 days.
“We have to make sure they have a definitive release date, and three days prior to the release, we have to do a liver and enzyme, and a drug and alcohol screen on them to show they do not have drugs in their system,” said Warden Jeff Hornberger.
“We’re in the early stages of it, but I have talked to other jails giving the shots, and they’re seeing pretty good success. The program is 100 percent voluntary, and we are educating the prisoners about Vivitrol. Statistics out there show that it’s very, very successful if you want to get off opioids.”
Commissioner Wayne Brosius said the company supplying the medicine pays for the cost of Vivitrol. Once the first shot is given at the prison, Hornberger said that the District Attorney’s Office and Probation would also keep track of the individual.
“I think everybody is on board,” said District Attorney Mark Aaron. “Nobody is calling this a ‘silver bullet,’ yet, but I think it is definitely something worth pursuing. From our end, the people that aren’t in jail or haven’t gone to jail yet at Central Court are going to be provided with the opportunity to volunteer for it. We have had one young man already volunteer for it, and his attorney said he was surprised that it did cure the cravings. Maybe there’s some light at the end of the tunnel.”
After getting out of jail, participants must take part in some “intensive drug and alcohol counseling” and are drug tested before receiving another injection in 30 days. A mobile clinic comes to the Clarion area once a month at the SMI parking lot and the drug test take place at the clinic.
“They go the van to get their shot, and they are drug tested there, and they also check to see if they have been doing the counseling,” said Aaron. “If they don’t participate in counseling, they are expelled from the program. Right now, the van is coming once a month. If the numbers go up, they’ll come twice a month.”
In other business:
• A memorandum of understanding with the Indiana County Prison was approved that could be used in case of an emergency and additional housing is needed. The MOU calls for a $55.00 a day rate for prisoners at Indiana.
• Hornberger said a major drug bust was held in Clarion (on Wednesday), “And, quite frankly, we were concerned that we might get overrun with prisoners. Thursday the jail had 119 prisoners.” The higher population also increases costs.
“The end result of the bust is we got 10 more yesterday during the day. It keeps things hopping, but we have to appreciate everybody’s work out there.”
• Aaron received permission to place posters throughout the jail warning visitors and inmates about bringing contraband items.
“In order to address the problem of controlled substances or drugs by people coming in to visit or what seems to be a problem with work release inmates, we’re going to use forfeiture funds to have signs made up advising visitors and inmates that bringing contraband into the jail is a two-year mandatory state prison sentence,” said Aaron. “They are under notice.”
