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Assessment of County Jail Health Care Services and Inmate Health Status

NCJ Number
86530
Author(s)
D Parker; B James; P White
Date Published
1980
Length
70 pages
Annotation
An assessment of county jails in Georgia's Area III found that only one (Cobb County Jail) was accredited at the time of the study.
Abstract
The age of jails ranged from 3 to 118 years (mean was 34). The average daily population of the 23 county jails ranged from 4 to 776, and the average daily intake ranged from 1 to 60. Only 1 standard was met by all 23 jails -- that of providing 24-hour medical and dental care. The most commonly treated health problem among the jail population was gonorrhea. The findings demonstrate the need for various community agencies to take active leadership roles in improving the level of health care delivered in area jails. Recommendations are included which assign various responsibilities to the jails, the Medical Association of Georgia, and the North Central Georgia Health Systems Agency. Tables, sample questionnaire, and 14 references are supplied. (Author abstract modified)