Inmate Health Care Taxpayers pay for so many things like law enforcement, construction, fire services, etc. Part of what they pay each year goes to the medical department in jails and prisons. Taxpayers should not have to pay for prisoner health care. They pay for incurable medical conditions. They shouldn't have to pay mentally ill prisoners. Finally, taxpayers should not have to pay for their oral needs. They have so much to worry about; inmates and their needs should be the last thing they should worry about. They shouldn't have to pay for incurable conditions, mental illnesses or oral health care. Some inmates suffer from incurable diseases. Troy Reid who suffered from high blood pressure and kidney problems was one of them (Mendelssohn. p. 295). In July 2007 Reid began receiving treatment for his failing kidneys (Mendelssohn. p. 295). He underwent kidney dialysis three times a week but died in April 2008 (Mendelssohn. p. 295). He got tired of the treatment and decided to die (Mendelssohn. p. 295). From July 2007 to April 2008, taxpayers paid for Reid's care. For some people, Reid's treatments made no sense and were just a waste. Whether inmates who have incurable diseases like Reid's should not be in jail or prison. They should be released and should pay for the treatment they seek themselves. A lot of money was wasted on Reid; this is one reason why they shouldn't pay for prisoner healthcare. There are some inmates in jails and prisons who have a mental illness. It has been estimated that 10% to 16% of adults in US jails and prisons have some type of mental illness (Mackain and Messer. p.89). It has been calculated that 10% of men and 18% of women have a serious mental disorder (Mackain and Messer. p.89)...... half of the document ...... are Programs for prisoners with disorders Chronic Mental Illness." Journal of Forensic Psychology Practice 4.2. (2004): 87-100. Academic research completed. Web May 5, 2014 Manahan, James H., and Vicki Quade. "Don't commit the crime if you can't pay for your cell phone. " Human Rights 17.2. (1990): 6. Academic research completed. Network. 5 May 2014. Mondelsohn, Daniel RH "The right to refuse: Should prisoners be allowed to stop treatment for incurable, non-communicable medical conditions?" Review of Maryland Law 71.1. (2011): 295-338. Academic Research Completed. Network. May 5, 2014. Ross, Michael W., Alison Liebling, and Sarah Tait : measurement, satisfaction and access to health care of prisoners in prisons". Howard Journal of Criminal Justice 50.3. (2011): 262-274. Academic research completed. Network. May 5 2014.