No free ride: County inmates will be charged for incarceration
There are no free lunches or beds in the Marion County Jail.
Marion County Commission approved a resolution Monday that charges inmates for food, clothing, hygiene items, medical treatment, and transportation.
The purpose of the charges is to reimburse the county for inmate expenses and to discourage repeat offenders.
The following charges will be assessed:
— A charge of $9.50 per day for food.
— A charge of $2 per day for clothing, bedding, and laundry.
— A charge of 25 cents per day for hygiene items.
— Actual cost of any medication or services rendered for any medical, dental, or mental care.
— A charge of $25 per hour for transportation if one officer is used to transport and $40 per hour for transportation if two officers are necessary. Any juvenile or individual transported by Marion County Sheriff Department for court appearances will be responsible for transportation fee.
— Any inmate who wishes to defray costs may work for the county for a minimum of four hours per day and be reimbursed $5 per day. Inmate participation will be at the sole discretion of the sheriff.
— Any inmate who participates in a work-release program and receives compensation will be required to pay the county $20 per day to defray costs.
— Inmates will pay costs in cash or money order to Marion County Treasurer.
The resolution was adopted and enforced beginning Monday.
