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Marion County approves $176,810 DOJ SCAAP award to offset jail costs for noncitizen inmates
Summary
The Marion County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a $176,810 Bureau of Justice Assistance SCAAP grant to reimburse the county for costs of housing certain non‑citizen inmates; county counsel reviewed legal compliance and commissioners said the funds free up local dollars for other uses.
Marion County commissioners voted unanimously Feb. 26 to accept a $176,810 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance under the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) to reimburse costs the county incurs when housing non‑citizen defendants.
Commander Jacob Ramsey presented the award and said SCAAP reimburses local jail costs for individuals charged with state crimes who are non‑citizens. County counsel confirmed the county’s review found the grant complies with state and federal law and is not an immigration‑enforcement program, the board was told.
Commissioner Danielle Bethell said accepting the funding would “allow the county to free up General Fund dollars that can be utilized for other community needs.” Commissioner Colm Willis framed the grant in plain terms, saying, “If a crime is committed by an undocumented immigrant or an illegal immigrant, then they will go to jail, and the federal government will pay the county to jail undocumented immigrants that commit a crime.”
The board approved the grant on a motion by Commissioner Kevin Cameron, seconded by Commissioner Willis. The voice vote was unanimous. No amendments or conditions were added to the agreement during the meeting.
The grant is intended only to reimburse documented jail costs; staff said the county may use the freed General Fund dollars for other community needs. County legal counsel reviewed the agreement to ensure it meets state limitations on local participation in federal immigration enforcement and other applicable law, the board heard.
Next steps: county staff will finalize and execute the grant award agreement and implement the reimbursement process specified by the Bureau of Justice Assistance.
