NCJ Number
172074
Journal
American Jails Volume: 11 Issue: 4 Dated: (September-October 1997) Pages: 85-90
Date Published
1997
Length
6 pages
Annotation
New Jersey jail administrators were surveyed to examine their attitudes toward charging fees for inmate health care and to determine the policy and outcomes regarding fees for medical visits.
Abstract
Twenty-six persons who worked in 15 of the State's 28 jails responded to the 2-page mailed questionnaire which contained 17 questions. The questionnaire was also placed on the Internet using the web site of the American Jail Association; this approach produced 26 valid responses. Results revealed that 80 percent of the New Jersey jails and 34 percent of the web site participants charge a fee for medical visits. Half of those that do not currently charge have made plans to do so. Six New Jersey jails charge $10; 5 jails charge $5 for a visit. The main reasons for fees were to save money and to reduce the number of inmate visits to the doctor. Fifty-six percent of the New Jersey participants and 30 percent of the web site participants reported negative or very negative inmate attitudes toward medical fees. Findings indicate an increasing trend toward requiring jail inmates to pay for services and suggest the need for further research on several issues. 4 references