Letter to the Editor

Anybody who has been at a monthly Oswego County Legislature meeting in the last 4 months may have noticed that I have been critical of the Sheriff’s Department on some issues. The major issue to me was the medical contract that the County has with Wellpath for medical care at the jail.

I spoke with Undersheriff John Toomey at the December Legislature meeting and asked about the Sheriff saying he wished people would come to speak to him about issues instead of complaining about them in public. I asked the Undersheriff if I could visit the jail and ask questions regarding the medical services. He agreed and stated he would contact me the week of December 15^th to the 19^th to set a time.

As a little background, I was at one time the Director of Nursing at the Onondaga County Justice Center, so I have some experience in medical care at a jail.

Undersheriff Toomey contacted me on December 18^th and invited me to come by the jail that afternoon to ask questions and see the facility. Undersheriff Toomey and Lieutenant Beresford met me, and we spoke for about 45 minutes while I asked questions, and they answered them. They then took me on a tour of the jail including medical. Booking, kitchen and laundry.

I got to speak with the RN overseeing the medical department, that I had worked with previously in Onondaga County. He also answered questions I had at great length.

After my visit I believe the jail provides good medical care to the inmates, and the staffing appears adequate.

I want to thank the Undersheriff and Lieutenant Beresford for their time and patience, (I asked a lot of questions). I will keep a close eye on what is going on with the Sheriff’s Department, but at this time I feel they are doing the right thing with their medical care.

Thank you

Jim Cannon, RN

Fulton, NY

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