Overcrowding continues to plaque the Marshall County Jail.
Marshall County Attorney Jim Clevenger updated the county commissioners on several damage claim lawsuits that have been filed from inmate Pro Se plaintiffs and other claims filed by the American Civil Liberties Union that stem from the overcrowding issue. Betty Knight with Knight Law Firm is working with the county to handle the ACLU cases. Another attorney from The Law Office of Polly A. Tatum will handle the damage claim lawsuits. Clevenger previously commented that the attorneys in that firm are experienced in handling these types of cases.
Clevenger assured the commissioners that in the meantime, communication with the judges, prosecuting attorneys and Marshall County Community Corrections is occurring to utilize potential programs and pre-trial options to keep down the population.
Commission President Kevin Overmyer commented that Community Corrections is near capacity.
The county does have an interlocal agreement with Elkhart County to house inmates at the Elkhart County Jail to help alleviate the overcrowding issue. However, Clevenger said inmates haven’t been transported yet.
“They haven’t started transporting anybody because the sheriff [Matt Hassel] needs to go to the council at the next meeting to get an appropriation for funding,” explained Clevenger. “The contract is in place and everything is set up, he just doesn’t have the money.”
Per the agreement, Marshall County will pay Elkhart County $40 per day per inmate. The council members next meet on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 9 a.m. to discuss the appropriation request.
