WASHINGTON CO. JAIL DISPUTE COSTING COUNTY TAX DOLLARS

  

An impasse between the Washington County Sheriff and the Medical Director for the County Jail is costing the county and its taxpayers money.

KWHI News has learned that Washington County Sheriff Otto Hanak is no longer allowing Jail Medical Director Dr. Robert Stark to treat prisoners. Instead, Sheriff Hanak says that Washington County EMS is being called to either treat prisoners at the jail, or transfer them to the emergency room at Baylor Scott and White Hospital in Brenham.

This is the same situation that existed years ago before former Jail Medical Director Dr. Stuart Yoffe completely revamped the way prisoners were treated for medical issues. That change brought about by Dr. Yoffe saved the County and its taxpayers through the years millions of dollars which were being spent at the emergency room.

Sheriff Otto Hanak would not comment on the dispute with Dr. Stark, saying he is not an employee of the Sheriff’s Office, but of the Commissioners Court. However, he did not dispute that Dr. Stark is no longer allowed inside the jail.

In the past when there was no Medical Director available, Hanak has said that Washington County EMS was being called to the jail several times daily for prisoners complaining about medical issues.

KWHI contacted Washington County Judge John Durrenberger for his comments on the situation at the jail. Durrenberger declined to discuss the matter, saying it was an employee issue.

KWHI also reached out to Dr. Stark to hear his side of the story, but he said as a county employee that he is unable to comment on the issue at this time.

KWHI will continue to follow this story, and will report on the additional cost to the county and its taxpayers for using EMS to transport patients, and for the extra cost of having the hospital emergency room treat them.