Kimball City Attorney and Marion County Attorney Billy GougerJASPER, Tenn. — After deciding to make county prisoners cough up a $20 copay for doctor’s visits, Marion County commissioners have added a $15 fee for inmates’ prescription medicine.
Last month, board members said they wanted to stop prisoners from abusing the free medical care at the county jail.
“It’s something that’s getting abused, and it’s become just a chance to get out of the cell,” Commissioner Don Atkins said in February.
Last week, commissioners voted unanimously to require prisoners to pay a $15 fee for each prescription he or she is written.
Marion County Attorney Billy Gouger said state statute has a copay provision for inmates’ prescriptions, but the board didn’t address that issue in February.