Starke County government officials this week discussed finances as they apply to county jail inmates being housed at the Pulaski County Jail.
With the Starke County Jail being rated for only 62 prisoners and the population approaching 80 at times, Commissioner Kathy Norem and Sheriff Oscar Cowen have been looking at ways to solve the problem – but that takes extra funds to pay Pulaski County and transport the prisoners back and forth.
Council President David Pearman explained that this is the most cost-effective solution they have found so far.
“We are budgeted to sustain and maintain our own jail, so moving inmates in and out is going to cost money. The most cost-effective solution to date has come from Pulaski County,” Pearman said.
Pearman said that until a new county jail has been established, any time the Starke County Jail’s population passes a certain threshold, inmates will have to be transferred to Pulaski County.
“Any time the census goes above 62, the inmates are going to be moved out until we get down to that figure. Unfortunately, until we have a new jail facility up and on its feet, it’s going to cost tax dollars,” he said.
