ANDERSON – Many Indiana counties are facing a growing population of inmates and aging jail facilities.
The problem is twofold: Finding the money to construct a new jail and then financing the increased costs of operation.
Officials from Madison and Henry counties are meeting Monday in Indianapolis with state Rep. Tom Saunders, R-New Castle, to discuss a regional jail concept for the two counties.
Madison County Sheriff Scott Mellinger has voiced some support for a regional jail with Henry County, but only if it is constructed close to Anderson in Madison County.
Madison County Councilman Jerry Alexander said last week that the county should consider funding a study for a potential regional jail.
At last week’s meeting of the Madison County Board of Commissioners, Commissioner Mike Phipps said Vigo County (Terre Haute) is building a new jail and the annual cost is estimated at an additional $7.5 million.
“If we’re going to spend money on a jail study, there has to be some plan from the (county) council to fund a new jail,” he said.
Alexander said there have been no serious conversations on funding for a regional jail.
“A regional jail may be more affordable,” he said. “There are many ideas on how we move forward with a new jail.”
Mellinger said there are many variables when it comes to a regional jail and noted the Henry County sheriff is not supportive of the concept.
“Even if we construct a regional jail,” he said, “there has to be a small jail facility in each community to hold inmates for court appearances.”
Mellinger said the cost of transporting inmates from a regional jail to Anderson or New Castle for court appearances would require additional deputies and increase the overall expense of operations.
Legislation considered this year allows a new jail to be financed through an increase in the local option income tax and allows a political subdivision to enter into an agreement with a private company to design, build, equip and operate a jail facility.
Previously, Mellinger has said planning for a new jail will take a minimum of five years, it should house 500 inmates and would cost an estimated $50 million.
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