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Ohio Public Defender meets with Washington County commissioners to discuss reimbursement, jail housing and social worker proposal
Summary
Representatives from the Ohio Public Defender told commissioners they expect roughly an 80% reimbursement rate next year, described challenges when local prisoners are housed at Monroe County Jail, and said OPD could support adding a social worker to the county office pending local data.
Officials from the Ohio Public Defender met with the Washington County commissioners on Feb. 19 to discuss reimbursement rates, prisoner housing and possible staffing changes.
Patrick Clark of the Ohio Public Defender said OPD is estimating the reimbursement rate next year "to be around 80%." Clark and colleagues Jessica Madison and Ray Smith described logistical problems — including communication, transportation and financial issues — that occur when Washington County inmates are housed at Monroe County Jail.
Clark said OPD has the organizational infrastructure to support efficiencies, including use of non-attorney professionals, and said OPD could assist if Washington County added a social worker to the local office to help with client needs. Commissioner Charlie L. Schilling requested data to evaluate whether a social worker position would be justified locally.
Clark also noted a statutory reporting requirement: House Bill 96 requires counties to submit a biannual indigent defense cost projection report to OPD by July 31. The commissioners did not take a formal vote on staffing at the Feb. 19 meeting and asked county staff to gather the requested data for later consideration.
The conversation focused on operational details and next steps rather than immediate policy decisions.
