Published: March 23, 2008 10:47 pm            

Carter County holding Rowan’s female inmates

GRAYSON — With a facility better suited to the needs of female inmates, Carter County Jailer Randy Binion said a recently adopted agreement with Rowan County seems to be working just fine.

Women arrested in Rowan County had previously been transported to Montgomery County, however, a recent situation with a pregnant inmate caused Rowan County Jailer Don Hall to reconsider the situation and contact Carter County officials to make new arrangements.

According to published accounts, the pregnant inmate from Rowan County was about three months along in her pregnancy and dealing with drug withdrawal symptoms, prompting an immediate need for medical attention.

The Montgomery County jail did not have a jail matron available to help tend to the woman’s needs, and Rowan County officials contacted the Carter County jail after determining medical care should have been included in their contract with Montgomery County.

About three weeks ago, all of Rowan County’s female inmates were transferred to the detention center in Grayson.

“We’ve been holding them for close to a month now,” Binion said, explaining the number of Rowan County female inmates there has averaged between six and 10, “probably closer to 10.”

Binion said Rowan County pays Carter County $30 per day for each of the detainees, and the new arrangement has not caused a strain for his facility or staff members. The Carter County Detention Center also houses Elliott County’s male and female inmates, as well as females from Morgan County, he noted.

While the recent agreement with Rowan County hasn’t been difficult on the local level, Binion said jails everywhere are dealing with unforeseen challenges.

“Every jail is crowded as far as I can tell,” Binion said, citing an alarming rate of incarceration in Kentucky and nationwide, along with the escalating costs associated with each person in custody.

Carter County’s detention center facility has female jailers, in addition to nurses who regularly attend to inmates’ medical needs, including pregnancy concerns and drug withdrawal.

A detention center worker said Friday the availability of nurses, while not on site 24 hours a day, has been especially beneficial for inmates with medical problems.

Drug use and drug withdrawal, the worker said, are among those concerns.

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2651.

        

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