Dallas Inmates to Receive Medication at Time of Release

DALLAS — After a series of negative reports by state officials that resulted in a change of health care providers, Dallas County Jail is instituting a new inmate release policy that will provide mentally ill inmates with a limited supply of medication upon their release.

Parkland Medical Hospital, which has managed jail health care since March, will give inmates with mental health needs a three-day supply of medication when they are released. Hospital officials say the new policy is part of a broader support system being put into effect at the jail release unit.

The hospital replaced Texas University Medical Branch as the jail’s health care provider after the facility was cited for lapses in medical care for inmates and sanitation problems.

Hospital officials say the old policy at the county jail was to give discharged inmates the same medication that they came in with, and sometimes mentally ill inmates were released without any medication at all.

As a result of the jail’s former policy, an inmate diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia was released in 2003 without any medications and was found on the street suffering from seizures and a fever, according to reports. The inmate’s case is now part of a federal lawsuit being brought against the county.

Mental health advocates support the new policy and say it will cut down on recidivism, a common problem among the mentally ill.

Some advocates have concerns about whether a three-day supply will be enough time for inmates to find a doctor and have pushed for a seven-day supply. Officials say a larger supply of medicine will be provided in special cases.

The hospital spokeswoman says that Parkland will work with mental health providers to ensure released inmates connect with outreach services in the community. Jail staff will provide inmates with contact information for clinics, housing, transportation and substance abuse services upon their release, and will schedule appointments if necessary.