A proposed new law would allow Ohio to help counties build or renovate jails, but the impact on Knox County is still uncertain, Knox County Commissioner Teresa Bemiller told the Mount Vernon News.
The legislation, House Bill 101, was approved by the state House on Oct. 13 and now goes on to the Senate.
"At this point, we do not know what impact this could have on Knox County if we were to apply for funding," Bemiller said. "A needs assessment would be done by the State Facilities Commission, and there would be a funding formula ranking counties, based on their property tax values and an estimate of the gross amount of taxable retail sales. Counties would be ranked, and the lowest would have the ability to apply each year, contingent on available state funding."
The Knox County jail has 100 beds, Bemiller said. That number is "sufficient," but the jail was not designed to accommodate the number of female inmates it currently has, she said.
"What I did notice in the legislation was an option to reconstruct, renovate or improve existing jail facilities," she said. "A reconfiguration to be able to adequately house women is of interest. We have no idea of a price tag on doing a renovation. Adding on to our existing jail would not only involve facility costs, but there would be a considerable increase in operational costs."
The jail has also holding more people for mental health or substance abuse issues, Bemiller said.
"There are not enough spots available at facilities where these individuals need to be placed to get the help they need," she said. "This is an issue that needs to be addressed statewide."
The County Commissioners of Association of Ohio praised the legislation.
"Ohio’s county jails by their nature are faced with continued costly updates and repairs to the structural, mechanical and operating systems in order to provide an environment that is capable of addressing and managing the challenges of the inmate population," the group said in a news release. " CCAO has expressed concern that in many instances, county jails are unable to adequately perform their mission within the criminal justice system due to their age and structural conditions. State capital funding for county jail construction and renovation, therefore, is a major priority for counties."
