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Sheriff cautions commissioners jail population rising; detention health costs to be reviewed
Summary
Sheriff's office briefed the board on rising average daily population at the county detention center and said recent increases stem from multiple state policies; staff and the sheriff offered to return with more detailed detention‑health cost information.
County detention officials told the board that the jail's average daily population (ADP) has risen in recent months and could exceed 500 this year.
"Today, we're at 460," a sheriff's office speaker said while summarizing data from 2024 and 2025. The speaker noted ADP around 400 in May 2024, roughly 450 last year, a high of 471 last week, and attributed increases to factors including the Pretrial Integrity Act, Arena's Law (which took effect in December), and recent immigration-related state changes. He told commissioners the sheriff and the chief of detention services expect ADP to "probably exceed 500 at some point this year."
Commissioner Burton asked whether the board would hear more detailed information about detention health costs tied to increased population and a rising medical cost environment. County staff and the sheriff said they will provide more data or a longer presentation, and that the county has an RFP process under way to evaluate detention health care contracts and pricing. The board directed staff to return with additional detail as part of budget or work‑session discussions.
The exchange included mention of the WellPath contract and a statewide survey of detention health costs being conducted by the North Carolina Association of Counties. No formal action was taken at the meeting; commissioners requested follow‑up information.
