Inmate Transfer Costs

Overflow inmates are transferred to other counties at a daily cost to the taxpayer, while presenting a potential liability to the County as we lose control over the care of our transferred inmates. The cost of housing inmates at other county facilities for the last five years totaled $918,279 plus an estimated $560,000 in vehicle and labor expenses. This is $1.4 million of taxpayer money spent that could be used in Webster County on our own facility.

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Housing to Other Counties

2023..........$399,172

2022..........$231,572

2021..........$211,871

2020..........$36,065

2019..........$39,599

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Inmates are mostly transferred to Hamilton County, Hardin County, Humboldt County, Guthrie County, and occasionally Blackhawk County. Rates vary from $60 per day up to $100 per day and only cover housing and food. Juvenile detention rates are more than $200 per day per juvenile. Transportation, labor, and medical costs are not included in daily rate.

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Impact of Transferring Inmates

• In addition to cost, staff and resources are utilized for transferring inmates which reduces their time spent patrolling and protecting.

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• We are also facing increased challenges with other counties accepting our inmates due to their own capacity and classification requirements.

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• Potential liability to the County as we lose control over the care of our transferred inmates.