The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners’ Budget Committee met yesterday to review the Sheriff’s Department proposed 2018-19 budget. One major item discussed was the county’s entering into a contract with Quality Correctional Health Care to provide contracted medical services to the jail population. The proposed contract would provide staffing and medical services for inmates – including on-site EKG and x-ray equipment, as well as enhanced man-hour coverage – at an expected savings of $80,000 per year. It would also reduce liability issues for the county.

Sheriff Casey Cox said several counties in Tennessee and surrounding states use contracted medical services within their correctional facilities. “Every sheriff I’ve talked to told me it was the cat’s meow for them,” Cox told the committee, adding every one of them did mention liability was a factor in their decision to use contracted medical. “You can get sued for anything, but paying out’s a different story.”

“It does have merit,” agreed County Finance Director Nathan Brock. “The increase in the number of hours… does take the [need to administer] prescriptions away from officers… Even purchasing of the medicine is going through their personnel.”

According to Jail Administrator Tim Claflin, County Attorney Randal Boston has reviewed the deal and has approved the contract as written.

When asked by 1057 News whether bringing dental residents from U.T. or Vanderbilt in to provide reduced-cost dental care for inmates, Sheriff Cox said that was something he hadn’t considered, “but that’s a good idea. I’ll have to look into it.”

The contract, which would go into effect July 1, 2018, needs finance-committee approval. A motion to recommend the proposal to the full commission passed unanimously on voice vote.