GEORGETOWN, Ky. (LEX 18) — Overcrowding in county jails is not a new problem in Kentucky.
But officials in Scott County are thinking of a different solution to relieve the population of inmates.
Officials are proposing at-home incarceration for low-level, non-violent offenders.
The hope is that by letting some inmates stay home, with monitoring, the county would save stress inside the jail, and taxpayer money.
Around every corner inside the jail, there are shelves, cleaning supplies, and even mats.
Those mats double as beds once capacity goes past 86 inmates.
"Number 87 and on up, they get a mat and they get a place on the floor," said Derran Broyles, Scott County Jailer.
There are make-shift beds in drunk tanks, against doors, floors of cells, and hallways.
This is a situation that's adding stress onto inmates and staff.
That's why Jailer Derran Broyles and Judge Executive Joe Covington are discussing a home incarceration program.
This would be a tool for the judge. Instead of housing low-level and non-violent offenders behind bars, they could be monitored by GPS at their home.
"The hope is to increase safety as soon as possible for inmates and staff. But also try to save tax dollars at the same time," said Covington.
Covington says the cost per inmate is currently around $35 dollars a day. Home incarceration drops that to $14.
Broyles adds that by staying at home, the offender could stay on Medicaid if needed, and even keep their job if employed.
"Responsiblity for transportation to the appointment, paying for the appointment, and getting back to his residence would all be on him," said Broyles.
Broyles says the judge and fiscal court are considering proposals over the next couple of months.
