Public raises jail-capacity concerns as county approves larger detention medical contract

A Kenton County resident told the Fiscal Court on April 28 that the county’s Detention Center is experiencing overcrowding and urged officials to press jail leadership and contractors for solutions. "It's not under control," Michael Staverman said, saying at times the facility had more than 100 people without beds and urging commissioners to "ask some difficult questions" to protect inmates and correctional officers.

Jailer Fields provided quarter-by-quarter program data in response: the Home Incarceration Program (HIP) recorded 64 misdemeanor participants this quarter with 63 successful completions, 95 felony offenders served (up from 83 last quarter) and a 94% completion rate on the felony side. "The total HIP days that were diverted in that quarter were 4,492," Fields said, noting the program reduced days spent in jail and that probation and parole referrals are increasing.

Treasurer Kurt Greivenkamp summarized related budget adjustments the Court approved, including $287,000 added to the jail medical contract to account for late and unexpected bills. "There were actually four bills that were paid this year that were from last fiscal year," Greivenkamp said. The continuation of the Detention Center medical contract with 3C (consent Exhibit 26-78) was also approved on the consent agenda during the meeting.

The Court’s actions were procedural (budget adjustment and consent approval); no separate motion was taken specifically to change operational bed allocations during the meeting. Jailer Fields said there is not a full-time doctor at the detention center—physician coverage is two days per week with 24/7 nursing and a 40-hour-per-week psychologist on staff—and reiterated staff appreciation and ongoing efforts to expand alternatives to in‑custody days.