Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Corrections Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee backs H 556 to raise per-diem for state prisoners housed in county jails
Summary
H 556, which would raise the flat per-diem reimbursement for state inmates housed in county jails to $80 per day, was recommended to the floor after county officials and sheriffs testified that current reimbursement formulas fall well short of actual county costs.
Senator Foreman presented H 556 proposing the State Board of Corrections reimburse counties $80 per day for housing state-committed inmates and parole violators. Committee testimony from county and sheriff officials said counties currently incur substantially higher per-inmate costs: county averages cited ranged from about $106 to $140 per day depending on county and whether medical costs were included. The bill sponsor said raising the rate to $80 would increase the general fund obligation by about $3.1 million annually while still leaving counties with an estimated residual subsidy.
Commissioner Rod Beck and representatives of the Idaho Association of Counties and county sheriffs described delayed transfers, long county stays (sometimes six to twelve months), overcrowding and safety risks. Sheriff Matt Clifford said Ada County has spent an estimated $20 million over five years to house state inmates. Vice Chairman Shippy moved the bill with a do-pass recommendation to the floor and the motion carried by voice vote.
