Residents urge Butler County to pause or end ICE contract, describe alleged jail mistreatment

During the public-comment period, several residents described firsthand or secondhand accounts of people detained in Butler County Jail under Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody and urged commissioners to pause or end the county’s ICE contract.

Giselle Kohler of Fairfield recounted testimony Pastor Irv Heishman shared about two parishioners who were detained and deported, describing cramped bunk-style beds, poor diet and lack of medical care for skin conditions. Anne Jansen (introduced on the record as from 7 Mile) said the men were treated harshly, described the jail as “very, very tough” and urged an immediate pause to the ICE contract. Linda Snow Griffin said she and others are “turning the light of truth” on the issue and reported reports of mistreatment and family separations. Sharon Meyer said she witnessed sheriff vehicles and urged ending the contract; other speakers (Larry Kreps, Ellen Price, Susie Lute) asked for mediation or expressed concern about contract provisions such as assigning deputies for welfare checks and the use of sheriff resources.

Speakers asked whether commissioners had visited or questioned detainees directly and urged attention to the county’s role in contracting with ICE. One commenter suggested using children's services rather than deputies to handle welfare checks for unaccompanied children. The Board did not take immediate action on the ICE contract during this meeting; public comment closed under the rules announced by the administrator.