Parish Government and Sheriff’s Joint Effort Paying Off

Lisa Vidrine, St. Landry Parish Government
April 3, 2008

Beginning on March 1, 2008 St. Landry Parish Government with help from the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office instituted a program to recover more expenses incurred by parish inmates.  Parish inmates are charged a fee for the use of certain items such as sheets, pillows, mattresses and uniforms; which saves parish government dollars. 

In 2007 alone the parish collected $12,454.00 on medications, hospital and doctor visits and by adding these other items to the program parish government has collected $7,500.00 so far this year.  The program is attributed to the joint effort between the two offices, Parish President Don Menard says, “the cohesive working relationship between parish government and the sheriff’s office has created better service to the citizens of this parish, allowing us to collect fees on these incidental supplies saves the parish money, which can be put to good use in other areas.” 

The program will discourage inmates from making unneeded trips to the hospital or doctor and wasting everyday supplies because they have to pay the expense.  Also, in addition to the charges, parish government and the sheriff’s office have placed additional nursing staff to evaluate and service the everyday needs of the inmates.  All of these cost cutting measures allow for more efficiency and savings when it comes to parish funds