Unable to fund the construction of a new jail, Fairfield County must continue to pay others to house some prisoners.

Because of overcrowding at its two jails, Fairfield County spent spent approximately $369,000 through the end of October to house its lawbreakers in jails in several different counties.

The Fairfield County Sheriff's Office estimates out-of-county inmate expenses will be between $550,000 and $600,000 this year, rivaling last year's costs, which were $593,000, according to the sheriff's office.

"We subcontract with a number of agencies that take care of our prisoners because we don't have enough room here," Fairfield County Sheriff Dave Phalen said. "Today, we have 59 prisoners held at other jails."

Currently, the county contracts with Licking, Muskingum and Pickaway counties and with the Southeast Ohio Regional Jail in Nelsonville.

When those jails are full, Fairfield County also sends prisoners to Knox and Morrow counties, which results in higher prisoner transportation costs.

"One year, we were at about $700,000 (in out-of-county inmate costs)," Phalen said. "We also hold more than we should (in Fairfield County). Because we're overcrowded, we put people on the floor."

Fairfield County's two jails house a total of up to 150 male and female prisoners. County officials have recognized the need for more jail space for some time, but say they lack the funds to build a new facility.

"We've looked at it and a new jail is going to cost us over $30-million," Fairfield County commissioner Judy Shupe said. "There are no funds available."

Shupe acknowledged that building a jail addition would be less costly, but it isn't viable in Fairfield County because the jails on East Main and West Wheeling streets in Lancaster are landlocked.

"We're in violation of state code right now because we have no outdoor recreation area," she said.

Phalen said the overcrowding problem in Fairfield County's jails is largely attributed to the rising use of heroin and opiate-based drugs. Aside from housing prisoners outside the county, however, officials haven't found a solution.
 
Rather than take on multi-million dollar projects such as new jails, the county is in cost-cutting mode.

Commissioners currently are looking to trim the county's 2010 operating budget to slightly more than $33-million. The 2009 budget was $35.1-million.

"We have asked all departments to cut 9 percent next year," Shupe said.

Phalen isn't pleased about the projected $918,000 funding reduction his office is expected to experience through the 2010 budget. He said its likely to result in layoffs for five deputies and six civilian employees, and his office won't be able to purchase cruisers or new equipment next year.
 
As is the case with housing prisoners out of county, Shupe said, the budget proposal for the sheriff's office isn't preferred. However, she added, the sheriff's department union employees next year will receive 2-percent raises plus associated step increases, whereas all other departments that receive funding from the county's general fund won't get increases.

"If the sheriff doesn't cut 9 percent, that would mean other departments would have to cut even more," she said. "(The Fairfield County Department of) Job and Family Services won't get a raise for a third year in a row, and they also laid off 44 people this year."

Shupe said the commissioners are expected to ask the sheriff's employees to forego raises in 2010 in lieu of making cuts.
As for jail overcrowding, it's unclear when the county might add prisoner cells.

The county is, however, expected to get a $2.8-million boost this year, and an additional $3.8-million annually the following three years courtesy of a 0.25-percent sales tax increase county commissioners last month.