Complaint about costs for inmates
I am writing in concern as to the costs of incarceration on the families. I have worked for the Department of Corrections for over 27 years. I even worked in a prison for more than nine years. I’ve heard their voices, but never really understood what the financial costs were. I did understand the emotional toll incarceration took on the family.
My son is 36 years old and has a drug problem along with many here in Wakulla County. He has gone to jail a couple times, but this is the first time in Wakulla County Jail. He is there because he broke the law and is not there by choice. He is constantly asking for money for his canteen because he is hungry. You cannot purchase a care package like in Leon County Jail. When you send him money, there is a large fee. See illustration.
I understand if you pay in cash at the kiosk in the jail there is only a two-dollar fee, but not sure if you must use a credit card what the fee is.
The county also charges an incarceration fee of $4.00 a day. I was told that they are considering raising the fee to $10 per day. If we send him money and if he owes any of the $4 per day, they take half of the money we (the family) send him. The money we send is for hygiene products, under clothes, socks, food, and money so he can call people he cares about (a lifeline). I feel these fees are too high. I would like for you to request a cost break down of the items that he can order and the cost for medical care.
We are waiting on the courts to do something. His charges are drug possession and drug paraphernalia. My hope is that he can get help. I am not sure if the county can do that. They just want to incarcerate and/or put on probation (another money pit). We need a good drug rehab center here in the county. They really need to get the dealers and put them away.
In closing, my concern is real and want to enlighten the public. Don’t judge as you never know when it might be someone you love that is incarcerated for a drug problem.
Anonymous
(Editor’s Note: It is not typical that we run anonymous Letters to the Editor, but it was requested in this case as the letter writer was concerned about possible retaliation against the son. The letter writer did provide their name to the editor.)
Enter the amount you want to deposit
Amount
Minimum amount $5.00 / Maximum amount $260.00
Fees
Amount Fixed Fee + Variable Fee
$0.00 - $25.00 $3.25 + 3.0000%
$25.01 - $100.00 $4.50 + 3.0000%
$100.01 - $200.00 $6.00 + 3.0000%
$200.01 and up $7.50 + 3.0000%
Fee Calculation: (Amount + Fixed Fee) / 0.97) = Total
Click here for a more detailed fee explanation (../Fees.aspx)
Response from sheriff’s office:
Inmates at the Wakulla County Jail are treated with the utmost care and concern. WCSO has a proven track record of exemplary conditions and treatment as shown by our accreditation from independent accreditation agencies. In WCSO’s most recent accreditation review the WCSO Law Enforcement and Corrections Divisions were awarded what is known as Excelsior status for the second consecutive assessment. To achieve Excelsior status an agency must initially pass 5 accreditation cycles that span 15 years of rigorous inspections without any observed violations or issues during the assessment period. Part of every accreditation cycle also includes multiple on site visits from accreditation inspectors who reviewed policies and standards to make sure the sheriff’s office was providing the most professional and expert services in law enforcement, corrections and communications. The inspections included interviews with WCSO staff to determine how well they know their jobs and interviews with inmates to see how they are being treated and how they interact with WCSO staff.
To address some of the specific complaints from the noted letter: With regards to the $4 fee associated with incarceration in Wakulla County, all fees are in line with current statutory and accreditation standards. The fees go to cover the cost of food and care for the inmates while incarcerated. Inmates are provided with three meals a day, basic toiletry items, and medical care. Inmates or their families have the opportunity to put money into a commissary account. The inmate can utilize this account to purchase certain snacks or treats, along with additional toiletry items. The Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office uses a third-party company to handle all commissary payments and money. The noted fees regarding putting money on an individual’s account are set by that company, not the Sheriff’s Office. If an inmate does have a debt to their account associated with delinquent fees, money placed in the account may be utilized to cover those late fees. However no more than half of any deposit would be used for this at any one time.
The insinuation that an inmate is being denied food, care, or needed items is simply untrue.
Respectfully,
Lt. Jeffrey Yarbrough
Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office
Public Information Officer