The Marshall County Council would like to hear a recommendation from a committee who’s consulted with more of the players within the justice system in the county before deciding on a possible jail expansion.
“I want to see, before I put up my vote on anything, is, I want to see the needs versus wants on what really needs to happen at the jail,” stated Councilman Jim Masterson. “The people who are the authorities – if the judges are in on it, the prosecutors or probation people, the sheriff, community corrections – all of those people who are in on it they need to come forth and they need to let us know whether it is going to be 300 beds, with their recommendation, 100 beds or 200 beds.”
Masterson suggested getting a committee together to make a more informed recommendation.
Commissioner Kevin Overmyer said the committee could be formed following an assessment done by Samantha Goodson from the Indiana Office of Court Services. An initial gathering session is set for March 4 from noon to 2 p.m.
Figures are a moving target as several variables don’t provide a concrete answer for officials which have caused frustration on government leaders.
Overmyer said a bill that that would create a fourth court for Marshall County is not looking favorable in the House of Representatives due to issues of meeting criteria.
Councilman Jon VanVactor said there’s no doubt that more jail space is needed as the inmate population has been over total capacity since June 2019. Since March of 2018, the jail has seen a population over the 80 percent capacity threshold.
“The need is there,” commented VanVactor. “It’s not that we want more beds, we need more beds. What’s that’s going to look like is the thing, I guess, is at contention.”
In the end, the council members voted unanimously to postpone further action on a General Obligation Bond ordinance and an additional appropriation ordinance concerning the possible jail expansion project until the Indiana Office of Court Services completes an assessment with a recommendation. On top of that, the council members voted unanimously to recommend that the commissioners hold public meetings so the community can attend and receive information about the jail expansion and overcrowding situation and offer solutions toward the issues.
