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Riley County approves $11,860 invoice for out-of-county inmate housing as officials describe capacity strain
Summary
Sheriff and jail officials told commissioners May 29 that Riley County has placed inmates in three other counties because the local jail has been at or above effective capacity for eight consecutive months. Major Mark Branch requested approval of a first-quarter invoice totaling $11,860; the commission approved the invoice and asked for quarterly
Riley County commissioners approved a first-quarter invoice of $11,860 May 29 to cover housing of Riley County inmates at other county jails after sheriff and jail officials described capacity and classification pressures.
Major Mark Branch said the county is currently placing inmates in Washington, Dickinson and Pottawatomie counties to address classification and separation needs, noting the jail’s average daily population (ADP) has been over 20 for eight consecutive months. Branch told commissioners the jail’s ADP metric is the basis for some service and staffing contracts and that prolonged elevated population levels create operational strain and additional transport and staffing costs. He asked the commission to approve the current out‑of‑county housing invoice and indicated the department would provide quarterly updates.
Commissioners approved the invoice by voice vote and asked that the sheriff’s office provide quarterly reports on out‑of‑county placements and related costs. Branch said some jails have raised per‑inmate housing rates and that the county is actively monitoring available neighboring facilities and transport impacts. He described the $40–$45 daily housing rate the county currently pays to other jails and noted federal housing reimbursements to other jurisdictions can be higher; commissioners discussed the tradeoffs and long‑term facility options but took no immediate action on capacity expansion.
Ending The sheriff’s office will provide quarterly reports on out‑of‑county housing use and costs; commissioners approved the invoice and asked staff to continue monitoring alternatives and bring further information on capacity planning as needed.
