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Prosecutor’s office briefs commissioners on possible resolution limiting village use of county jail
Summary
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Amy Brown-Thompson told the Board a forthcoming resolution could prohibit villages without contracts from using Fairfield County Jail for municipal ordinance violations; Commissioner Davis raised accountability and cost concerns for inmates placed in the county facility without formal agreements.
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Amy Brown-Thompson briefed the Fairfield County Board of Commissioners on a potential resolution related to municipal use of the Fairfield County Jail at the June 2 meeting.
Brown-Thompson explained that, aside from Canal Winchester, villages generally lack written agreements with the county to house individuals sentenced through Mayor’s Courts for municipal ordinance violations. She said Ohio law does not grant municipalities unrestricted access to county jail facilities without an agreement and that the Board could adopt a resolution clarifying terms of county-jail use by municipalities.
Commissioner Steve Davis raised concerns about accountability and who would bear responsibility for care and costs when municipalities place individuals in the county jail without a formal contract. County Administrator Aundrea Cordle confirmed the resolution would apply only to villages prosecuting municipal ordinance violations and that the decision rests with the Board of Commissioners.
No resolution was adopted at the meeting; Brown-Thompson indicated the matter may be placed on a future agenda for formal consideration.
