Budget increases, more staff, proposed for Bartholomew County Jail

Bartholomew County Sheriff Matt Myers is asking for an increase in the jail budget of over $625,000, as the department makes more room for inmates.

The sheriff made his case for a $4 million 2019 budget to the County Council yesterday during budget hearings.

The sheriff said that the jail has been operating right at its maximum over the past year, with an average daily population of 232 inmates, which is also the capacity. Myers said that when the jail population gets above about 180 inmates, there is no way to separate out inmates by the levels of crimes or by other criteria.

To get down to that level, the sheriff is planning to reopen half of the old, unused portion of the county jail. Myers said that he needs to add seven jail staff to make that happen. The County Council and Commissioners recently approved a plan expand and upgrade the security system in the jail, so that the old cell blocks can be reopened, but that work likely will not be completed until spring of next year.

The largest portion of his budget increase, almost $427,000 would be for wages and overtime.

The council budget hearings, including final deliberations are scheduled to continue this afternoon.