Jeff Daniels, Pittsburg County Sheriff’s Office Jail Administrator, said the Guardian RFID system assures staff checks on inmates at a preferred four times each day, administers medicine, and other daily needs for inmates.
“Everything that has something to do with an inmate gets scanned with this Guardian RFID,” said Daniels.
Inmates in the past wore bracelets, however, Daniels said they were quickly damaged. Now, inmates wear identification badges clipped to their collar and if they are not wearing them, they are written up on a demerit system.
The new tracking system costs $23,489 yearly.
Commission Vice Chairman Ross Selman said, “It’s worth it.”
Commissioners also approved a medical insurance agreement for inmates.
The agreement is a “memorandum of understanding” between HealthPlan Freedom Inc. and the Pittsburg County Jail for Pre-Trial Inmate Insurance Program.
Daniels said that they have inmates with medical needs that range in costs up to $10,000 in medicine each month.
Pittsburg County Sheriff Frankie McClendon explained a nurse will do an initial examination and begin the paperwork. He said “there’s not a lot to it,” referring to the paperwork.
Daniels said this insurance follows them until they are sentenced and then the coverage ends.
Selman asked if this would cost the county anything.
Daniels said, “This is going to save us a lot of money — no cost from us at all.”
The Pittsburg County Commissioners meet Monday at 9 a.m., unless scheduled around a federal holiday, at the Pittsburg County Courthouse inside the County Commissioners Conference Room, Room 100B, at 115 E. Carl Albert Parkway.
Meetings are open to the public and people may address the commissioners regarding an item on the agenda. Residents must provide their name and address and to speak no more than three minutes.
Comments by the public on items not on the agenda cannot be acknowledged or discussed, but can be placed on an upcoming agenda for discussion and possible action.
To see the agenda, visit https://pittsburg.okcounties.org/meetings.
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