Youngstown would trim cost of housing prisoners

YOUNGSTOWN —The city’s board of control is expected to sign a contract Monday that would provide at least a temporary reduction in Youngstown’s escalating expense for housing its prisoners.

The contract would have Community Corrections Association Inc. electronically monitor up to 50 of the city’s indigent misdemeanor prisoners who’d serve time on house arrest. CCA would receive $3,500 for the service for this month. The contract would be automatically renewed for September and October at the same monthly fee unless either side opts out of the deal.

While the contract is in place, the city would seek proposals from agencies to provide this house-arrest service on a permanent basis, said Anthony Farris, the city’s deputy law director. CCA is interested in a long-term agreement.

The contract is needed because the cost of housing prisoners in the Mahoning County jail has far exceeded the city’s estimate, Farris said.

“We are bleeding money,” he said.

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