The Division of Patient Care Services provides medical care to all incarcerated persons in the custody of the Sheriff’s Department of Suffolk County. The Suffolk County Correctional Facility (SCCF) Jail Medical Unit (JMU) provides care at both the Riverhead and Yaphank Correctional facilities as well as for those patients who are part of the Sheriff’s Addiction Treatment Program (SATP). The JMUs are staffed 24 hours per day, 7 days per week in order to provide timely access to needed services including emergency medical care.
All incarcerated persons undergo medical screening at intake to identify any immediate medical or mental health needs. Persons with urgent medical issues are transported to the hospital if indicated. Other persons with identified medical problems are prioritized to be seen by a medical provider. All incarcerated persons newly admitted to the Correctional Facility are examined by a licensed medical provider as soon as possible, and within 14 days of admission, in accordance with New York law (Title 9 NYCRR § 7010.2).
The JMU provides the following medical services:
- On-site primary care services: including treatment of new and pre-existing medical problems, routine vaccinations, daily sick call, treatment of various injuries and other medical emergencies, screening, identification, and treatment of communicable diseases, and pregnancy testing as appropriate.
- Diabetes care and education: Is available on-site.
- Gender-affirming care: Hormone therapy is available on-site, and with specialist involvement when indicated.
- HIV care: HIV primary care and medical case management are provided on-site.
- Specialty medical services: Optometry and podiatry services are provided at both sites by contracted providers. For other specialty services, patients are referred to community-based medical specialty consultants.
- Dental services: Dental examinations and general dental services are performed by licensed dentists at both the Riverhead and Yaphank Correctional facilities. More complex dental care is provided on-site by contracted dental specialists.
- Substance Use Disorder treatment: Medical services are provided for drug and alcohol withdrawal and dependence as well as issues related to comorbidities. All inmates are screened for substance use disorders, and treatment including counseling and behavioral therapy as well as medication is offered as indicated. Medication-Assisted Treatment with Buprenorphine, Naltrexone, or Methadone is available for patients with opioid use disorder, and Medication-Assisted Treatment with Naltrexone, acamprosate, or disulfiram is available to patients diagnosed with alcohol use disorder.
- Mental health services: If mental health problems are detected during the initial screening examination or at any time during incarceration, incarcerated persons are referred to on-site Jail Behavioral Health mental health professionals for diagnostic and/or clinical treatment services.
- Laboratory, x-ray and sonography services: Routinely provided at both sites, and in conjunction with outside services as indicated.
- Pharmacy services: A full pharmacy is maintained at both the Riverhead and Yaphank JMU’s, which prepares all medication orders placed by the Medical, Mental Health and Dental practitioners, and ensures appropriate storage and handling of medications.
- Dietary consultation services: Provided by a Registered Dietician (RD) who oversees patient diets and certifies them in coordination with the SCCF Chief Cook on a regular basis and/or as required by the NYS Commission of Corrections.
- Social Work: Medical Social Workers see patients at both sites to address the social needs of patients in the facility as well as helping to prepare them for discharge.
- Hospital care: The Department of Health maintains a contract with a local hospital to care for incarcerated persons requiring inpatient hospital care.