By Heather Chapin
The Morning Journal, Lorain, Ohio
LORAIN, Ohio — The Lorain County Sheriff is raising the daily cost of inmates at the county jail from $75 to $220 after finding the average daily amount the county has been charging is outdated in comparison to surrounding counties.
County commissioners discussed the idea at length with Sheriff Jack Hall during a Oct. 9 meeting.
“The county, the general fund and my budget has been footing this bill for way too long,” said Hall.
The county hasn’t increased the rate for 23 years, said officials.
“Obviously, we’ve been undercharging. We created our own monster,” said Commissioner Marty Gallagher.
“Something like this makes sense why your budget is skewed. You’re upside down on this,” Gallagher told the sheriff.
Cuyahoga County , which is housing about 10 female inmates for Lorain County, charges $240 per day for each incarcerated person, said Hall.
He said the local jail only has the capacity to hold nine high-risk females.
The nine holding areas are designed for woman with violent tendencies, mental and, or substance abuse issues that require specialized care, he said.
Since the jail can only hold nine of these women, the remaining 10 to 12 women are transported to the Cuyahoga County Jail where there is the mandated care and space.
Meanwhile, the commissioners put the legislation on hold to allow Hall to discuss the increase with the municipalities.
The timeline of when the increase will go into effect has not yet been determined.
The officials agreed the increase will be revisited on an annual basis moving forward so the county doesn’t get behind again.
The matter is scheduled to be on the Oct. 20 commissioners’ meeting agenda.
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