The Associated Press


BENTON, Ark.- Starting next year, state prison inmates are going to have to pay
$3 each time they request medical care.

The fee, approved Friday with a 4-3 vote by the state Corrections Board, is
intended to discourage frivolous medical complaints that take time and resources
from inmates with legitimate health problems.

In a typical month, about 14,000 inmate sick calls are made. Board Chairman
Benny Magness said it's difficult to quantify how many of the calls are made by
inmates who want to avoid work or other duties, but the phony complaints reduce
the quality of care for others.

Magness cast the deciding vote. "I respect everybody's vote on the issue. But in
the end, something has to be done."

Board member Mary Parker said she recognizes there's a problem but voted against
the fee because she is "just philosophically opposed" to charging inmates for
medical care."

Many inmates and their families said the fee will probably end up being paid by
families because Arkansas does not pay its inmates for job assignments.

Thanks for the info Julie! Don't agree with them doing this AT all! But what can you do?

At the Correctional Facility in Osceola, They already have to pay $3.00 for a visit to the nurse. Even for tylenol, $3.00. He has been there for just over 3 months and already 2 inmates have died because they take all their mediction away and they both had heart attacks. Is this what our tax money is going for?????

Where are they supposed to get the money from?????? They don't get paid. I know they "say" that it will come off the books of the ones that get money, but what about the poor people that have no money on their books?? Do they not get medical help??

They Already Charge The Inmates Here In Cali. They Charged My Husband $5 Everytime He Went To See The Doctor. I Think Its Ridiculous, But It's What They Do? I Have A Question Though. Does That Mean That An Inmate Who Doesn't Have Any Money Will Not Be Allowed To See The Doctor?

I think their idea of cutting costs and easing prison overcrowding is through "early release" if you get my drift. The health care is awful in prison. I'm a severe asthmatic, and nearly died until my father threatened to sue them if they failed to provide my basic medications.

considering they are incareated,against will.It should be the states responsibilty for medical,dental care.not the inmates,or families.Use our tax dollars right,not to increase there governments pensions or pay rates. Inmates should have best of care,considering they take them away.some crimes are justified but others is to give the prosecutors a job.

families an inmates need to sue the hell out of states an prisons for inadequate medical care.

I don't believe that there are 14000 sick calls a month! That would be every single prisoner going once, plus 1000 more going twice a month!Those numbers just aren't True. Our experience is that most prisoners will do practically anything to avoid going because the care is so bad. You have got to be REALLY sick to want to go and if that many are going, there some major health issues that need addressed.

I know that they are charging at Varner already. I'm not sure about the quality of care that they do get but I know that I pay for something. I understand that if the inmate has no money he will still be seen by the doctor. We all know that those who have money to pay will be seen first.
The ADC is all about money.

The $3 deal has actually been in effect since last April or May. The only way an indigent prisoner gets a "medical call" where he sees a nurse or some such, NOT a Dr. is when he is violently or seriously ill because it has to be authorized by the guard on duty. In order for him to ever see a Dr., he has to be...well, practically dying. If you have a loved one in prison, TRY to impress on him to eat as healthy as he can, get regular exercise, sleep, etc (I know easier said than done). He doesn't want to get sick.