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Residents urge Butler County to end ICE detainee contracts; commissioners defend jail purchases
Summary
Multiple residents asked Butler County commissioners to terminate the county's agreements that allow ICE detainees to be held in the county jail. Commissioners and staff cited existing intergovernmental agreements, reimbursement procedures and a recently purchased adjacent building that contains critical jail infrastructure.
Dozens of residents on Tuesday urged Butler County's commissioners to terminate contracts and memoranda of understanding that allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees to be held in the Butler County Jail.
Speakers including Karen Albrecht, Linda Spurrier, Ellen Price, Kathy McMahon Klosterman, Anne Jansen and others described recent national immigration enforcement operations and said county facilities should not be used to detain people they characterized as immigrants without due process. "We might want to reconsider our association with ICE," Karen Albrecht said during public comment. Ellen Price asked what it would take for the county to end the contract and emphasized the role of detention centers in enabling federal policies.
Citizens raised concerns about alleged abusive treatment and national media coverage showing detainee accounts. Several speakers referenced an MSNBC report about a detainee identified as Ayman Solomon and said the county's reputation was harmed.
Sheriff's Office operations were described by public commenters and in follow-up remarks: Chief Dwyer (identified in public comments) told a commenter that Butler County holds two memoranda of understanding with the Department of Justice's task force and a jail enforcement agreement that allow jail staff to process paperwork and for road-patrol deputies to assist ICE in the community. The sheriff's office also uses an intergovernmental agreement to house federal prisoners, which includes ICE detainees, and the office bills federal partners for housing and transportation. The sheriff told a public commenter that the jail rosters online list inmates generally but do not distinguish ICE detainees for public-record purposes.
Commissioners addressed a separate but related question about a county purchase of a building adjacent to the jail. Commissioner Rogers and Administrator Boyko said acquiring the neighboring property protected critical infrastructure: the two buildings are "mirror images" and key jail control systems and telecommunications infrastructure span both halves. Boyko said not acquiring the property would have required rebuilding the jail's mechanical and control systems.
Speakers asked why additional jail space was being prepared when much of the facility is underused. Chief Dwyer (as relayed by public commenters) said the county was preparing for future needs and ensuring functionality of the acquired building; the county asserted the additional facility is reserve space and noted Butler County has historically housed prisoners from other jurisdictions.
The commissioners did not announce a vote during public comment to change any contracts. Several commissioners acknowledged public statements and directed staff to continue to brief the board; no formal termination or rescission of intergovernmental agreements was made during the meeting.
