- On Friday, December 08, 2017 Sheriff Dave Wedding hosted a meeting between state legislators and area sheriffs concerning issues affecting local jails.
Overcrowding and the continuing impact of House Bill 1006 were discussed at length. HB 1006 took effect in 2015 and immediately caused low-level felons serving time at the state department of corrections to be returned to their home counties to finish their sentences.
Sheriff Wedding explained, “A huge part of the issue is that most jails are simply not equipped to handle inmates with addiction and mental health issues. We know that the majority of our inmates suffer from drug and alcohol dependence or mental illness, which in turn plays a significant role in causing them to re-offend once released.” Sheriff Wedding added, “The goal of this recent meeting was to provide a forum for local and state government officials to share ideas and collaborate on solutions.”
The Sheriff’s Office wishes to thank the following elected officials for taking the time to attendFriday’s meeting: Vanderburgh County Commissioner Bruce Ungethiem, State Representative Wendy McNamara, State Representative Holli Sullivan, State Senator Vaneta Becker, State Senator Jim Tomes, State Representative Ryan Hatfield, State Representative Tom Washburne, Posey County Sheriff Greg Oeth, Knox County Sheriff Mike Morris, Pike County Sheriff Jeremy Britton, and Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Nick Hermann.
These state mandates are forcing us into non compliance by the same state that forces us an undue burden and an unfunded mandate. The paltry $55.00/day stipend doesnt build jail pods. Jim, agaree with david now? Plus the state emptied the EvvState Hospital of hundreds of mental patients forcing to the streets. Guess where many ended up – YES in our overcrowded jail. Its the state that caused it and the state thats citing us. Go figure.
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