Jail overflow equals money for Scott City

Scott City found a new source of revenue in 2006 that brought more than $100,000 into the city's coffers -- boarding prisoners from the overcrowded Scott County jail.

Scott City police chief Don Cobb said the city earned $111,750 toward general revenue through money paid by the county sheriff's department for holding county prisoners in the city jail. Scott County pays $25 per day for the city to keep prisoners, as it does in Chaffee. But the policy has proved much more profitable in Scott City than in Chaffee, which has earned $14,550 since it started housing prisoners four months ago, according to figures provided by Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter.

"Every department is looking for ways to increase revenue without increasing the tax burden," Cobb said.

Chaffee has an eight-bed facility for holding prisoners, while Scott City's jail holds up to 30, thanks to an expansion last year that Walter, who has a background in construction, consulted on for no charge. Thanks to Walter's consulting expertise, the city only paid about $10,000 for the expansion of its jail, Cobb said.

Scott County's jail holds 120 prisoners at maximum capacity, said Walter. But during 2006 the sheriff's department had an average of about 135 prisoners per day under its watch, making the boarding of prisoners in other jails necessary.

Walter said by housing prisoners in jails in Scott County, county money stays within the county and helps cities with law enforcement and other expenses.

"If I have to spend money, I'd rather spend it in the county," said Walter.

Cape Girar-deau County doesn't house its prisoners in other jails because overflow is not a problem, said Capt. James Mulcahy, jail administrator with the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department.

"We pretty much take care of everybody else's overflow when we can," Mulcahy said.

However the county does house federal prisoners through a contract with the U.S. Marshal's office.

"Typically a jail is a money-making facility, really," Mulcahy said.

Cobb is glad to see his jail become a money-making facility for the city. The extra revenue Scott City brings in can be used for any city expense, since funds go straight to general revenue.

"We're all one team," said Cobb. "No one department in the city is possessive about money they do or do not make. Whatever helps general revenue helps all departments, not just ours.

"I just can't believe I never thought of this," said Cobb, who gives Walter all the credit for the system.

Chaffee police chief Martin Keys did not return calls Friday for comment.

The prisoners Walter sends to municipal jails are typically nonviolent offenders and always a low-flight risk. Sending those prisoners to other jails helps improve security at the county facility by allowing Walter to keep the more hardened, violent criminals segregated from nonviolent criminals, who could be bullied and abused behind bars.

"In county jail you don't have the luxury, you have to put them together, and that's not always a good combination," said Walter. "There's a potential there to have lots of problems."

Cobb said Scott City is considering at least one more expansion phase to allow the jail to house even more prisoners and bring in even more revenue. But he does want to be cautious, just in case the system changes following the next election for sheriff, something he hopes doesn't happen.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182