Delaware County Sheriff Tony Skinner still in talks to keep federal inmates in local jail

MUNCIE − Delaware County Sheriff Tony Skinner updated county council members last week on jail operations and the status of negotiations to have the local lockup approved for housing federal prisoners.

"I expected this process to be done last October," Skinner told the council members about working with federal officials.

He said at this point, discussions with the U.S. Marshals Service have come down to the per diem amount the Service will pay the county for keeping the prisoners.

Skinner said the Delaware County Jail is appealing as a place to house federal inmates because of its proximity to U.S. Federal District Court in Indianapolis and some of the features of the jail, such as medical staff.

The sheriff is asking for a $75 daily per diem from the U.S. Marshall's Service to keep federal prisoners, which he said was on par with what has been charged by other counties.