Norfolk Sheriff's Office Opens New Medical Clinic Inside Norfolk City Jail

Earlier this week, the Norfolk Sheriff's Office held a ribbon-cutting to officially open the new medical clinic inside the Norfolk City Jail. 

The new medical clinic features six examination rooms, two new dialysis machines, the newest biometric medical monitors, and on-site specialty providers, including optometry, podiatry, physical and occupational therapy, and OB/GYN services. The clinic also includes an area for individual and group mental health treatment meetings. Additionally, the Norfolk City Jail Medical Clinic includes a room dedicated to telehealth services, which will enhance access to quality healthcare for offenders and bridge gaps in care by providing remote consultations with healthcare professionals. The Norfolk City Jail will be one of the first correctional facilities in Virginia to provide this technology for offenders.

Looking ahead, future enhancements will include negative-pressure rooms to safely house individuals with conditions such as MRSA, tuberculosis, and COVID-19. This will make the Norfolk City Jail one of the only correctional facilities in Hampton Roads with this capability.

Following the closure of the Hampton Roads Regional Jail, the City of Norfolk approved the investment of $1.5 million into this project to meet the needs of offenders in our care. "We are incredibly grateful to Norfolk City Manager Pat Roberts and his team, and to the members of Norfolk City Council whose leadership, support, and partnership made this clinic possible," stated Sheriff Joe Baron. 

Not only will this clinic provide greater medical care for those in the Norfolk City Jail, but it will also reduce strain on staff and enhance public safety. Previously, deputies were required to transport individuals off-site daily for medical care, pulling them away from critical assignments and adding stress for both staff and those in custody. The new clinic operations will drastically reduce the number of doctor appointments outside the facility by providing many of these services on-site, ensuring we're able to maintain safety, security, and privacy for all of the offenders in our care. 

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The Norfolk Sheriff's Office is a values-driven organization
committed to public safety, public service, and public trust.