Thursday, June 22, 2006
COSTS OF HEALTH CARE IN COUNTY JAIL SKYROCKETING
The Post and Courier reports that the price of providing for the sick in Charleston County Jail has soared and, as a result, the County is seeking ways to cut costs.
Given that the largest percentage of those in county jail are there as a result of being held in Contempt for non-support, we think it would behoove the County to develop a system:
- Allowing contemnors to either post bond or pay arrearages and fines before being transported from Family Court to jail (why not have a bond judge in Family Court on the days that Bookkeeping Rules are scheduled?);
- Training judges better so that they better understand the concepts of willfulness and civil contempt; and,
- Setting up a better work-release program so that those who are willing to meet their child support obligations are better able to do so.
It is better for everyone if the jails are reserved for criminals and those who are not interested in meeting their obligations to their children.
