The Screven County Sheriff's Office was an early adopter of Telehealth technology, thanks to the federal Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program grant (JMHCP) made possible the purchase of a telehealth device for the jail. Jail staff can utilize this device for inmates to visit their doctor or mental health professionals remotely, without having to leave the confinement.

This saves vehicle wear and tear, fuel costs, and deputies' time spent on inmate transports, has helped limit the spread of COVID19, all while meeting the necessary requirements for medical care for persons in custody. In addition, the program has created a more secure jail environment. The program has saved the county tax dollars while providing much needed access to mental health care for inmates with issues that have gone unaddressed. The Sheriff's Office was also award a grant through the BJA's Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program (COSSAP) that provides inmates with the opportunity for treatment using a combination of telehealth and traditional services. The ultimate goal of the program is to make our community safe by ending the cycle of drug-abuse and incarceration for addicted persons, reducing the overall crime rate and saving the county tax dollars while simultaneously eliminating the demand on our jail.