Wyoming Department of Health to Reimburse Counties for Jail Mental Health Holds Under New Law
Three sheriff's offices in Wyoming—Natrona, Laramie, and Sheridan counties—have finalized contracts with the Wyoming Department of Health to receive reimbursements for holding and treating individuals with mental illnesses in their jails. This initiative stems from a new state law, effective since March, which allocates $5 million through 2028 to compensate jails for these services. The law aims to address the challenges faced by jails in housing individuals awaiting mental competency evaluations and treatment, particularly given the backlog at the state-run psychiatric hospital. The contracts provide two types of per-client, per-day reimbursements: a $100 'holding payment' for security and baseline custodial care, and a $250 'treatment payment' which includes the holding payment plus costs for inmate psychiatric treatment. This new measure offers law enforcement agencies flexibility in how they provide mental health services, allowing for varied approaches based on local resources. The Department of Healt...
