The Clinton County Sheriff’s Office announced a federal per diem rate increase to house federal prisoners that will allow for the department to continue expanding its resources in the county.
On Jan. 14, the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office received a signed federal agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice and the United States Marshals Service for the renegotiated intergovernmental agreement to house federal prisoners.
The program began in Clinton County in August 2020, and since its inception, the Sheriff’s Office has reportedly received approximately $5,372,483.06 in new revenue to the county. The program, overseen by Matron Ashley Kelly since March 2020, reached the end of its 36-month agreement of the per diem rate of $68 per night, which could now be renegotiated. After months of work on the program, budgets and other necessary paperwork, Kelly received a new negotiated rate of $90 per night, which stands as a 32.35% increase to the prior per diem rate.
The agency also reportedly receives travel reimbursement at an hourly rate to guard and escort inmates for transports and other appointments, and the rate also saw increases. The Sheriff’s Office reported that the previous rate of reimbursement was $27 per hour, and the rate is set to increase to $35 per hour.
The new revenue of federal tax dollars has allowed the Sheriff’s Office to reportedly add 13 positions, including four merit deputies, eight correction officers and a part-time investigative assistant. Additionally, the revenue has reportedly allowed the department to purchase vehicles and equipment, such as the entire fleet of 25 Tahoes, body cameras, tasers, cell extraction equipment, rifles, gas masks and evidence lockers.
The program reportedly also allowed the county to pay approximately $700,000 for a boiler and chiller HVAC upgrade in the facility.
The new agreement will go into effect on Feb. 1 and will remain in effect for 48 months.
