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Penobscot County leaders and sheriff cite rising jail-boarding costs while public urges alternatives
Summary
Public commenter Janet Drew urged the county to invest in diversion programs and housing instead of a new jail; Sheriff told commissioners one hospital-guarding case has cost the county about $22,000 and said the state lacks capacity to accept the person. Commissioners agreed to press the county delegation and seek further action.
Janet Drew, a retired nurse from York, used the public comment period to urge Penobscot County commissioners to pursue diversion programs, housing and living-wage strategies instead of building a new jail, saying, "It's time to try something else." She cited a high statewide rate of prior incarceration and said Penobscot County accounts for a disproportionate share of people jailed.
The sheriff told commissioners the county has been guarding a court-ordered patient in a hospital for more than three weeks because state facilities have no capacity to accept the person.…
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