Sheriff’s office receives high rating for inmate medical care at Gwinnett County jail

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - The Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office scored a 100% accreditation from the National Commission on Correctional Health Care for their inmate medical services.

Sheriff Keybo Taylor told Atlanta News First the mission has always been to improve healthcare for inmates.

“Medical practices, where are we housing them, medication services, in-house services,” Sheriff Taylor said, regarding the healthcare provided.

The accreditation means the care inside the jail scored well on quality and treatment, safety and disease prevention, timeliness of care, and personnel and training.

Physicians with FirstClass Healthcare provide medical care inside the jail. Mental health care is also a priority for them.

“It’s the basics of care that need to be done well,” Ben Lefkove, FirstClass Healthcare CEO, said.

Sheriff Taylor said access to health care is a basic human right and though they understand the care can’t be on the same level as in a hospital, they’re striving for the best possible.

“If you were here, if I was here or one of our loved ones was here, how do you want them treated?” Sheriff Taylor asked. “Do you want them to come in here and see how they start to deteriorate because we’re not providing those services? No, you want your loved ones treated with the same dignity and respect until their cases are taken care of.”