I post these two stories, with food for thought. Do these two not go hand in hand ???

My thought is if their gone " WE'RE NOT PAYING FOR THEM".


Why So High? Forsyth is spending more per inmate than the other large urban counties
By Blair Goldstein
JOURNAL REPORTER
Thursday, October 4, 2007


(Journal File Photo)


The cost of caring for sick inmates at the Forsyth County Jail continues to be high, with the price tag expected to surpass $3.75 million this fiscal year.

On average, Forsyth County now pays more for inmates’ medical care than the other largest urban counties in the state. That disparity has led county officials to review how much the county is paying and what medical services it is providing to inmates.

Forsyth County commissioners voted last week to extend its contract with NaphCare Inc., an Alabama company that was hired by the county in 2004 to provide medical care at the jail. The extension is good for one year, with an option to renew.

Gloria Whisenhunt, the chairwoman of the board of commissioners, said that the board did not want to sign a longer deal until an internal audit shows why the cost is so high.

Last fiscal year, Forsyth County paid an average of about $4,300 for each inmate for medical care. Durham County paid $4,200, and Guilford County paid $3,400. Forsyth’s cost has grown 35 percent since 2004, even though its inmate population has risen only 6 percent.

“It is certainly a concern, and that is why we didn’t want to do a full contract - to give the staff time to look into it,â€