Sheriff’s department asks for increase in jail’s pharmacy account

By Debbie Ingram

Published: July 24, 2008

County officials tentatively agreed Thursday to transfer nearly $28,000 to the Houston Sheriff’s Department’s Pharmacy Supplies Accounts to help pay expenses for sick inmates.

The account has a shortfall because of the high inmate count, Sheriff Andy Hughes said, and the cost of drugs for several inmates who are HIV positive. The drugs are costly, officials noted, but the jail’s doctor and other staff are being trained to administer the drugs as a cost-saving measure. The county also wants to shop around to try and save money.

There were more than 500 inmates in the county jail as of Wednesday night. More than a dozen state inmates were transfered Thursday morning.

Commission Chairman Mark Culver said local judges are cooperating with county officials, in trying to move inmates through the courts as quickly as possible in order to keep the counts down.

Officials said HIV positive inmates are not isolated in the jail.