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Sheriff warns counties of disputed DOC billing; local jail billing practices reviewed
Summary
Rush County officials were told that the Indiana Department of Corrections has recalculated inmate billing back to 2019, creating a statewide dispute; the sheriff said county and state groups are seeking clarity and that Rush County is monitoring potential impacts.
Unidentified Speaker 3, speaking in his county official capacity, reported on training and operations and warned the Rush County Commissioners about a developing dispute with the Indiana Department of Corrections (DOC). He said the DOC has reworked its billing back to 2019 and told counties that 52 counties now owe the DOC under the new accounting. "The Department of Corrections have went back to 2019 to come up with a form that says now 52 counties owe them," he said.
The speaker said county sheriffs’ associations and state groups — the Indiana Sheriffs’ Association (ISA) and the Association of Indiana Counties (AIC) — are engaging legislators and the governor’s office to resolve the matter. He told the board that counties have been billing for inmate housing year-round and that accounting inconsistencies and undisclosed formulas used by DOC created confusing surplus/deficit reports for counties.
Unidentified Speaker 3 urged caution and said the county will continue regular billing while awaiting guidance. He noted that counties cannot charge for a sentenced level‑6 inmate until after a five‑day hold period and reiterated procedural rules about billing and notification to DOC. The speaker said he will update the board as the situation develops and will contact county officials individually if new information arrives.
The report did not include any formal county action; the sheriff requested that commissioners note the issue and await further clarification from state authorities.
