April 7, 2009

 

 

Mr. Joe Kirby

Editor

Marietta Daily Journal

580 Fairground Street

Marietta, GA  30060

 

Dear Mr. Kirby:

 

The recent article by Ms. Mollett (April 1, 2009) regarding the boarding of City inmates in the County Jail was well written but there are several points that I would like to clarify.

 

First, my offer to board city inmates in the County Jail was extended as a convenience and cost saving measure for municipal governments and to help their bottom line. My experience has shown that it is often not efficient for cities to operate a jail facility on a small scale due to the construction costs, staffing requirements and standards that must be met.  As Sheriff of the County, it is my responsibility to serve all of Cobb County and to the extent feasible, boarding inmates charged with municipal offenses is part of that service.  It is up to each municipality to determine whether it is more cost effective for them to operate their own jail facility or to utilize the County Jail.

 

In 1989, the Legislature authorized city governments to enter into a contract with the county to board city inmates and authorized the collection of a surcharge on fines and forfeitures to help offset the board cost.  In Cobb County, the cities of Austell, Marietta and Powder Springs have taken advantage of this statute and board their inmates in the County Jail.  The 2009 board cost of $46.53 is representative of the actual operational cost to house municipal inmates and may be offset by municipalities electing to implement the statutorily approved surcharge.

 

Whether in a city or county jail, it is expensive to safely house and care for an inmate.  For this reason, the justice community in Cobb County works closely together to insure that only those individuals who require incarceration are in jail and that final adjudication of charges occurs as quickly and efficiently as possible.

 

Thanks again for the excellent job you and your staff do informing the citizens of Cobb County about the operation of their government.

 

Sincerely,

 

Neil Warren

Sheriff