County officials tell lawmakers their prison bills continue to pose major financial challenges

County officials from across West Virginia told lawmakers that prison bills continued to be a financial burden.

This statement was made today during a meeting of the Regional Prison and Correctional Institutions Authority's Oversight Committee. Costs for the districts have long been a problem.

The four counties with the highest prison debt have a total debt of about $10 million, state officials said. “I would assume they are unable to pay at this time and have been making minimal payments for some time,” said Brian Arthur, deputy director of financial operations for the state Department of Administrative Services.

The Department of Corrections' share of costs is $18 million under budget, Arthur said. The main cost drivers are inflationary pressures, such as medical costs and food and utilities costs, he said. “The biggest factor over the last two years is that inflation has had a big impact on operating costs,” he said.

Berkeley County Commissioner Eddie Gochenour, who joined via conference call, said legislation passed in 2023 to help control costs has eased some of the financial pressure.

But, says Gochenour, “it comes to a point where it becomes increasingly difficult for us financially to pay the daily rates.”

Berkeley County has tried a number of methods to keep jail costs down, he said. “We are working hard to reduce our jail costs, and the money we are spending is good – we have other services.”

Upshur County Commissioner Christy Tinney also described the major financial challenges due to rising prison costs and limited funding.

“Despite our efforts, we still have problems. Our tax revenues have not increased significantly, but our jail bill budget has more than doubled in Upshur County in the last seven years,” she said.

The county has tried various measures to control costs, she said, such as expanding house arrest, working with day-care centers and cooperating with the county attorney, sheriff and judges.

“We continue to struggle with no relief,” she said. “It is obvious that the financial burden is affecting our law-abiding citizens. We are at risk of having county funding cut or not being able to pay our jail bill like others cannot.”

In response to questions from the House committee, Tinney said jail costs account for about 10% of the county budget. If daily costs increased, she said, “We would definitely have to make cuts to be able to pay the jail costs, or we wouldn't be able to pay them. We would have to cut something.”

Nicholas County Commissioner Gary Roberts said counties' ability to raise the money needed to pay jail bills and other costs is limited.

“Rising costs across the board make this almost impossible,” Roberts said, expressing hope for a joint effort to get costs under control.

He said jail costs accounted for about 8% of the county's total costs.

If the county needs to cut other costs to cover the difference, he cited supporting partnerships with organizations such as senior centers, sports leagues, community center social programs and more.

“So those are the things we're actually going to cut,” he said, “if prison costs continue to rise and we can no longer provide a living wage to our employees.”