Medical Care in the Escambia County Jail — What Families Should Know
Everyone booked into the Escambia County jail gets a medical screening at intake. After that, inmates request care through sick call. The county’s 2017 inmate handbook lists small co-pays (for example, $5 per sick-call visit and $3 per prescription), but care is provided regardless of ability to pay. Families can reach the Jail Medical Division at 850-436-9802 (jailmedical@myescambia.com). Because of HIPAA, staff may not share health details without the inmate’s written consent.
On this page
Intake screening
During booking, medical staff screen each person for immediate health needs, medications, mental-health concerns, withdrawal risk and contagious illness. The handbook describes a free physical within 14 days, including tuberculosis testing. The new Correctional Facility (opened 2021) was designed with in-unit medical treatment and triage rooms in each housing unit, so many inmates are seen without leaving their unit. The infirmary shows as INF in housing codes. Housing codes
Sick call and co-pays
- Inmates submit a sick call request. The handbook says requests are made at medication passes, and medical issues shouldn’t be raised on the general request kiosk.
- The handbook lists these co-pays, deducted from the inmate’s account:
| Service | Co-pay (per handbook) | |—|—| | Sick call visit | $5.00 | | Prescription | $3.00 | | Advanced care provider or mental-health visit | $10.00 |
- No one is denied care for lack of money, according to the handbook.
Fees can change, so ask the medical division for current amounts.
Medications
- Tell the booking officer and medical staff about all prescriptions, doses and prescribing doctors as early as possible.
- The jail’s medical provider decides what’s dispensed. It may substitute an equivalent medication on its formulary.
- Families who need to share medical records or prescription information should call the medical division (850-436-9802) and ask how to submit them. The county provides a Medical Information Release form so an inmate can authorize sharing information with family.
What families can and can’t be told
Under HIPAA, the county notes that medical staff may not be able to provide confidential health information to family without the patient’s consent. The best route is for the inmate to sign a release naming you. Staff can usually still take information from you, such as medications, diagnoses and doctor contacts.
Raising a concern
- Encourage the inmate to submit a sick call request and, if needed, a grievance through the housing unit kiosk. The handbook sets a 30-day filing window, with exceptions.
- Call the medical division at 850-436-9802 with specific information.
- The county provides a Statement of Complaint form on its Correctional Facility page.
- In an emergency involving a threat to life, tell the jail immediately at 850-436-9830.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring medication to the Escambia County jail?
Don’t bring medication without calling first. Contact the Jail Medical Division at 850-436-9802 to learn how prescriptions and medical records are handled. The jail’s medical provider decides what’s dispensed and may substitute an equivalent medication, so share the prescribing doctor’s details with staff.
Will the jail tell me about my family member’s health?
Only with the inmate’s consent. Because of HIPAA, medical staff may not share confidential health information without the patient’s written permission. Ask the inmate to sign a medical information release naming you. Staff can still take information from you, such as medications and diagnoses.
Do inmates have to pay for medical care?
The county’s 2017 inmate handbook lists small co-pays for sick call visits, prescriptions and advanced-provider or mental-health visits, deducted from the inmate’s account. But medical care is provided regardless of the ability to pay, so no one should go without needed treatment because their account is empty.
Sources: Escambia County Detention Contacts · Correctional Facility · Escambia County Inmate Handbook, 2017 (PDF)