Marshall County council members and commissioners have ironed out plans that they hope will help alleviate overcrowding at the Marshall County Jail. On Tuesday, the commissioners signed a contract with RQAW to begin the early phase process to expand the facilities at the jail site. However, it’s unlikely that there will be any construction for at least a year.
Additionally, steps are being taken to possibly add a fourth court to handle pending cases quicker. Although both the council and the commissioners are supportive to adding another court, it is a legislative decision and couldn’t happen until July, 2020.
The overcrowding situation sparked eight filings of lawsuits from current and/or former inmates within the last 30 days. Two of the eight have been allowed to proceed. Included in the filings by the eight inmates were allegations that they were forced to sleep on the floor on a mat in cells designed for four by adding a 5 inmate. Also a shortage of seating so inmates are forced to sit on a toilet while eating.
On September 5, Sheriff Matt Hassel said there were 283 inmates housed in the jail that only has beds for 239. Only 57 of those are serving their time, meaning their cases have already been through the courts and they received their sentences to be served at the Marshall County Jail. The other inmates are awaiting their court dates. The policy at the jail stipulates that all bail monies must be paid in cash and cannot be paid through a bail bond. Inmates unable to post the bail funds in cash are held at the jail until their court dates. According to Sheriff Hassel, judges discontinued the use of bail bonds before he became the sheriff.
Hassell has been conversing with the staff of the Elkhart County Jail in an effort to have some inmates placed at that facility, however, there is currently an inadequate number of staff members at the Elkhart location to handle in extra inmates.
Carol Anders Correspondent
