Arkansas DOC Adult Pay to Stay Policy

Nicole Kanu filed this request on behalf of Kelly Stevenson with the Department of Correction of Arkansas.
Submitted Dec. 15, 2022
Est. Completion None
Status
Fix Required

Communications

From: Kelly Stevenson

Subject: Arkansas Freedom of Information Act Request: Arkansas DOC Adult Pay to Stay Policy

Email

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

The following materials regarding the imposition, assessment, collection and balances of inmate fees and debt:

All current policies and procedures regarding medical and room & board costs or fees for which inmates are or may become liable. Please include all policies and procedures related to how fees are set, accrued, imposed, collected, and enforced (such as those related to per diem fees, ability to pay determinations, penalties for late or non-payment, authorization for civil or criminal action for payment enforcement, etc).

All reports, databases, spreadsheets, or equivalent materials regarding debts/restitution paid to or owed to this department or any facility/agency under its jurisdiction in FY2021. Please include all relevant data regarding medical and room & board costs, including the number of individuals charged for medical and room & board costs or fees and the total amount of medical and room & board fees imposed in FY2021.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 3 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Nicole Kanu, a citizen of Arkansas, in coordination with Kelly Stevenson.

From: Department of Correction

Subject: FW: Arkansas Freedom of Information Act Request: Arkansas DOC Adult Pay to Stay Policy

Email

I am in receipt of your request. Attached is a copy of the Division of Correction Administrative Directive 2022-15 "Health Care Co-Pay."

I want to make sure that I understand what else it is that you are asking for. Are you asking for the amounts of the $3 co-pays that were owed by the inmates in 2021?

Christine A. Cryer
Chief Legal Counsel
Arkansas Department of Corrections
1302 Pike Avenue
North Little Rock, AR 72114
(501) 682-5071
Christine.cryer@arkansas.gov<mailto:Christine.cryer@arkansas.gov>
[DOC logo]

From: Kelly Stevenson

Subject: RE: Arkansas Freedom of Information Act Request: Arkansas DOC Adult Pay to Stay Policy

Email

Hello,

Thank you for responding to my inquiry. To clarify, I am looking for the amount of individuals that were charged the $3 copays, as well as the aggregated amount of copays that were collected during the 2021 fiscal year.

Also, I noticed that you did not share any information regarding room & board fees costs or fees for which inmates are held liable. Could you provide the amount of individuals charged room & board fees, the amount of these fees that were collected, and any policies or procedures regarding the imposition of these fees?

Thank you very much, please reach out if you have any further questions.
Best,

Kelly Stevenson

From: Department of Correction

Subject: RE: Arkansas Freedom of Information Act Request: Arkansas DOC Adult Pay to Stay Policy

Email

Good afternoon,

The Arkansas Department of Corrections does not maintain a list showing the number of inmates charged $3 copays. The amount of medical copays charged in fiscal year 2021 was $173,615.19 and the amount of medical copays collected for fiscal year 2021 was $167,743.94.

In general, inmates are not charged room and board fees. The Arkansas Division of Correction provides room, board, clothing, medical and other normal living expenses of all inmates under its care and custody.

However, if inmates are housed at one of our work release facilities and employed in the community, wages they earn will partially reimburse the state for their care and custody.

Inmates are also liable for fees they owe such as court ordered child support, restitution, federal and state filing fees, damage of state property, cost of privileged correspondence, cost of copier usage for legal purposes, cost of postage, and proof of delivery for property returns, etc.

Additionally, inmates may be required to pay under the "Inmate Care and Custody Reimbursement Act," Ark. Code Ann. ยง 12-29-501, et seq.

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