Spencer County judges rescind proposed inmate transportation plan after jailer and sheriff raise concerns

Spencer County Fiscal Court on Jan. 19 considered a proposed inmate transportation plan intended to formalize which officials and offices would handle inmate transports to contracted detention facilities. The motion to adopt the plan was made by Esq. Beaverson and seconded by Esq. Travis but was withdrawn after discussion among the judge, the sheriff and the jailer about operational roles and staffing.

Judge Executive John Riley outlined the draft resolution, which assigns primary transport duties to the Spencer County Sheriff or the jailer depending on whether an arrest occurs in or out of the county and specifies procedures for juvenile and mental‑health transports under KRS 441.505 and KRS 441.510. The resolution also noted the county contracts for housing inmates and the need to specify who would be responsible for scheduling and court security assistance.

The court heard concerns from the Spencer County Jailer, Melvin Gore, and the sheriff (not named in the transcript) about how deputy jailers, court security and scheduling supervisors would be used. The sheriff asked that the Court Security Scheduling Supervisor be included in further discussions; the Judge suggested additional meetings with the Sheriff and the Jailer to refine the plan. After that discussion, the motion and second were rescinded and no formal vote to adopt the plan was taken.

Because the motion was rescinded, the court took no final action on the transportation plan. Judge Riley said the parties would meet to address the staffing and scheduling issues before the plan is brought back to the Fiscal Court.