Crime is expensive.
Counties across West Virginia already know this as they contend with a growing number of inmates and the expanding costs to house them in the state’s regional jails.
An analysis released in January by the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy predicted that counties could expect to pay $8.4 million more on their jail bills this year than they did the previous year. That prediction is coming to fruition, and now county leaders are asking state lawmakers to work with them to rein in costs on an unsustainable trajectory.
In Monongalia County, jail expenses will exceed the budget by $1 million this year. The jail bill for the current fiscal year is expected to be $3.2 million. That cost is expected to grow to $4.1 million in FY27 as the daily rate to house an inmate increases from $54.46 to $75.47.
Counties around the state have seen similar percentage increases following the passage of HB 3552 in 2023. The bill ended state subsidies for regional jail costs and started charging counties the actual costs for housing inmates. The bill also requires that the rate be recalculated annually. Also, counties that exceed a calculated base number of “inmate days” must pay a penalty of 120 percent of the base rate.
This all means is that counties are struggling to find ways to keep costs in check without compromising public safety. During an appearance on Talkline, Monongalia County Commissioner Tom Bloom said in addition to the increase in jail costs, the county also dealt with 645 new felonies and 1,000 more misdemeanors.
“I want it really clear, we are not going to put people out on the streets who are violent crime offenders. It’s a catch-22. The state is saying, well, you have to limit the number of days, but we’re having an increase in felonies and the misdemeanors, and the police are doing their job. The prosecuting attorneys are doing their job. And what happens is, the state isn’t paying for it, and they pushed it down to the counties,” said Bloom.
According to the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, 90.7 percent of inmates are awaiting trial. Monongalia County has allocated $175,000 for additional staff in the prosecutor’s office to handle more cases and hopefully reduce the time people facing criminal charges spend in jail. Commissioners are also evaluating agreements with municipalities and West Virginia University for transportation costs.
Other counties are also evaluating their jail expenses.
Kanawha County has created a task force to find ways to save on jail bills. Wood County has also been exploring ways to save on jail bills.
The rising jail costs are another example of expenses that West Virginia must address. Commissioner Bloom said on Talkline that many of his fellow commissioners he had spoken with were hesitant to use the “C” word to describe the current situation. However, the state could find itself dealing with another crisis if counties are forced to choose between public safety and paying the bills.