A total of 184 inmates and corrections staff members were taken to several local hospitals on the night of the explosion at the Escambia County Jail’s Central Booking and Detention Facility. Anyone expressing a medical concern following the explosion was taken to area hospitals for medical care. In some cases, after being returned to Escambia County Corrections, some inmates have requested and been given return trips to local medical providers for follow up on any issues/concerns they had about their medical well being.
Last week, Corrections Director Gordon Pike met with jail doctors (one who handles physical issues and one who handles mental health issues), the Escambia County budget office and the Human Resources staff. They have two goals:
- To solicit additional doctor to work at the jail to address any lingering physical issues that may have been caused to an inmate the night of the explosion. Jail leaders hope to have a contract for this physician signed by the end of the week.
- To solicit a mental health doctor to address any/all mental health concerns of inmates and their families. An additional six staff members will be brought on to help address these concerns. The purchase order for these six counselors has been signed and jail officials are working to create a schedule for these new additions.
