Unfortunately, there have been a series of deaths in Guilford County jails in recent years – as there have been in jails in other counties across the state. It’s no secret that many inmates don’t arrive in the best of health – some have a history of heavy drug abuse, some are alcoholics, some are malnourished due to a lack of food security and some face other medical issues as well.
It’s inevitable that, from time to time, the conditions in a jail and the medical conditions of the people in jail even lead to death, as anyone who follows the local news knows.
And, just as health costs have been going up for you and me, the same is true of providing health care for inmates in Guilford County’s two jails. Now those costs have gotten to the point where Guilford County Manager Victor Isler, in his new fiscal 2026-2027 budget proposal is recommending that the county add and fund a new Sheriff’s Office position dedicated to overseeing the county’s jail medical services contracts…