Will They Let Me Drive an Inmate to the Doctor?

Will They Let Me Drive an Inmate to the Doctor?

For the most part, any time a county jail inmate leaves a jail, official personnel transport him to medical appointments, but in some counties, depending on the circumstances, family members are allowed to provide the transportation. Each jail sets the rules. Here are some general guidelines: The severity of the crime comes into play. Obviously, an inmate convicted of a violent crime is going to be on a stricter watch and have less of a chance of having family members transport him anywhere. The authorities also consider how far along in the judicial process the inmate’s case has progressed. Jails are less apt to allow non-guarded transportation from someone who has yet to be convicted because they are a flight risk. For the inmate who has been convicted and is already a good way through his sentence, the jail may feel more comfortable about allowing the family involvement. The location of the medical office is sometimes considered. If he is being furloughed to a doctor who is located five minutes from the jail, it is considered less risky than if it is a rehab facility three hours from the jail. Jails do sometimes let family members transport inmates to rehabs hours away, but it is not a common practice. Final thoughts: The bottom line is that it never hurts to ask. If you get permission to transport an inmate, be sure to ask for the rules and timeframes, and then strictly follow them. To do otherwise could get you charged with a crime. Further reading: Getting Medical Care for a Prisoner