County that includes Columbus to charge inmate fee


November 30, 2011 at 11:57a.m.

County that includes Columbus to charge inmate fee

COLUMBUS

The county jail in Columbus plans to join others in Ohio that charge inmates a fee for their stays.

The Columbus Dispatch reports criminals sentenced to spend time in the Franklin County jail will pay a one-time, $40 charge for the privilege, beginning next year.

County Sheriff Zach Scott says his office needs the money. Scott has been in a budget battle with county officials, who have directed him to find new revenue sources.

Executive director Robert Cornwell with the Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association says jail “reception fees” have become common in Ohio.

Southwest Ohio’s Hamilton and Butler counties resumed their inmate fees earlier this year with a change, so only convicted inmates would be charged. The counties had been sued for also charging those simply awaiting trial.