Mississippi, Scott counties OK on jail status

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- It's nothing personal -- the feds just pay more.

Mississippi County commissioners and Don Chance, administrator for the county's detention center, confirmed during this week's meeting that the relationship between Mississippi and Scott counties remains in good standing, but Mississippi County just does not have room for Scott County prisoners any more.

Currently the jail is holding only Mississippi County prisoners, federal prisoners, "and a few change of venues," said Jim Blumenberg, presiding commissioner.

Mississippi County will remain the main long-term holding facility for the Immigration and Naturalization Service prisoners in western Missouri south of St. Louis, at least through the remainder of INS's fiscal year, which ends Oct. 1, Chance said.

He said that under this agreement, the county is asked to have an average of 70 beds available for INS prisoners.

After making sure Mississippi County prisoners are taken care of, "the main concern is keeping revenue up so we can pay off the jail," said Homer Oliver, commissioner.

The daily rate paid per prisoner by the INS under the current contract is nearly double that asked of Scott County, officials said.

In other county business, Blumenberg said the Federal Emergency Management Agency had asked the county to confirm that no county residents needed federal assistance for floodwater damage.