Inmate Funds

Regional jails across Mississippi house inmates that are in the state prison system.

Several years ago the money they got from the state was cut but that could soon change.

Jails across mississippi house inmates that are in the state prison system.

Several years ago the money they got from the state was cut but that could soon change... if governor tate reeves signs a new piece of legislation.

Wcbi's savannah gaido joins us live in the studio with how one facility is waiting on the state to help its bottom line.

Savannah... joey... winston county sheriff jason pugh has been checking his email most of the day...hoping the bill signed down in jackson.

What happens there could have a big impact up highway 25 and allow taxpayers to keep more of their money.

Many people don't think about the cost associated with operating a jail...food, medical needs, maintenance, and salaries just to name a few.

To help boost its bottom line, the winston-choctaw regional correctional facility contracts with area law enforcement agencies to house their inmates.

"for instance, our regional jail has the capacity to hold more inmates than we usually owe within the county so we have been able to house city prisoners for the city of louisville and recently house for the city of philadelphia and that has helped us keep our bottom line higher than it would have been normally with the state cuts."

The state is currently giving $23 per inmate -- but philadelphia gives $25 for winston to house inmates.

Pugh says that the increase in price will provide the community with lots of benefits.

"the potential for more jobs and use of medical facilities and use of post office facilities, for use of legal facilities.

Theres a lot that has been put into the community provided by a correctional facility."

Senate bill 2936 would boost the state's cost to regional jails up to $29.74.

Without the increase, that means more out of people's pocket "right now, the thing for winston county is that the average tax payer, the person that pays state taxes and pays county taxes, is paying state taxes and is also their county taxes are having to go to their state taxes should be paying for.

So hopefully with the foresight of the senate and the house of representatives, all of those wrongs will be right and i think our friends we will keep you updated on when when govenor tate reeves