Magistrate raises concern about out-of-county prisoner transfers and county costs
Summary
Magistrate Rob Jones and other court members discussed the rising number of out-of-county prisoner transfers and the county's cost for housing inmates outside Scott County; Jones said the practice appears to cost over $600,000 a year and asked staff to examine contracts and alternatives.
Magistrate Rob Jones raised the issue of out-of-county inmate transfers and the county's fiscal exposure during general discussion.
Jones said he had noticed an increase in transfers and said the numbers and related costs deserve a closer look. "When Darren made his presentation...the number of prisoners we're sending out of county is starting to get larger," Jones said, citing a transfer count in the mid-30s and adding, "if I did my math right, that's over $600,000 a year we're sending out of the county."
Judge-Executive Joe Patt Covington and other court members agreed the county should review contracting and expenditures tied to inmate housing. Covington said the court should examine whether there are alternative sites or contracts that would lower costs and noted the state has shown limited interest in assuming such costs. "Do we need to look at, are there other spots that that would consider taking them at a dollar figure that might be a little bit more reasonable?" Covington said.
Court members asked the county staff to review contracts, forecast next year's budget with updated transfer assumptions and explore whether alternate arrangements could reduce operating expenses associated with the jail.
