Sick inmates who need HIV treatment, lab tests, dental care, obstetrics services and other medical care are putting a squeeze on the budget for the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center.
Warden Rob Reardon told the Lafayette Consolidated Government council Thursday that the budget squeeze started when the state handed over management of the local charity hospital.
Reardon, who spoke to the council during a budget workshop, said that despite the local economic boom, his budget was too small for the job at hand.
He said additional funds would be needed from courthouse complex fund to cover the costs, which have been exacerbated by the state's transfer of University Medical Center to the private Lafayette General Health System.
Photo courtesy http://blogs.kqed.org/election2012/files/2012/11/DollarBills_401K2012.jpg