Vermillion County Sheriff Mike Phelps says, when the current county jail was opened in 1993, it was designed for 34 inmates plus some staff.
In 2019, those numbers look much different.
“Nowawdays we have 71 physical beds, we have two secretaries, we have twelve officers including myself, we still have one cook, we’ve outgrown the place,” said Sheriff Mike Phelps, Vermillion County Sheriff’s Department.
In March of 2017, Vermillion County Council and commissioners received a letter of non-compliance from the Department of Corrections inspector due to overcrowding, their third year in a row.
Phelps says the increase in jail population is partially due to the state placing level six felons in jails versus prisons.
To help solve the issue of overcrowding, Phelps says a POD-style addition to the current jail has been proposed.
“The new add-on section would move all of our current inmates over to that new section, so there would be about 100 beds,” Phelps said.
Phelps says the estimated $20 to 22 million dollar project would also include renovations to the current jail.
“Plumbing, electrical, automation, seeing what an inmate can actually damage when you think they have nothing,” Phelps said.
In 2017 local income taxes were raised in Vermillion County .25 percent for public safety and Sheriff Phelps says a portion of that money will be used for the project.
Phelps says he understands the burden, but it is necessary.
“Nobody wants to build a jail, nobody wants their tax money going for jails. The problem is how do you comply with these laws and rules if you don’t,” Phelps said.
Phelps says the jail financial plan must next be approved by Vermillion County commissioners and the county council.
Phelps says if things move as expected renovations could start as early as next summer.
