Contract set for jail inmate mental health

MUNCIE – Inmates in the Delaware County jail will continue to receive mental health services under the provisions of a new contract.

The county commissioners this week approved a contract with Muncie counselor Bobby Hatfield for “administering, managing and supervising” mental health care to inmates at the jail.

Hatfield — who had earlier been awarded a contract for jail mental health services in 2014 — will also train jail intake and correctional officers, Sheriff Ray Dudley told the commissioners.

“Subjects in the jail have mental ... handicaps that often means a return to jail,” Dudley said.

Hatfield will be paid $57,000 annually, according to the terms of his contract. When he was awarded a contract in 2014, it was for $45,000.

Although the cost of health care for inmates, including mental health services, has been the subject of criticism from members of the public in the past, sheriffs and officials have acknowledged that the expense is one that the county must take on for someone in custody.

According to Hatfield’s contract, he would ensure round-the-clock on-call services “for inmates experiencing suicidal crisis, psychosis or an emotional/cognitive disorder.”

Hatfield would conduct regular group or individual counseling sessions “as appropriate” and conduct psychological evaluation of “inmates exhibiting unusual or bizarre behavior.”

The contract also provides for “appropriate mental health and suicide risk training as necessary for deputies and correctional staff.”

The commissioners approved the agreement between the county and Hatfield.

Contact Keith Roysdon at 765-213-5828 and follow him on Facebook and Twitter.