INDIANAPOLIS, IND. (WOWO) Indiana officials say wait times for transferring inmates from county jails to state prisons have improved over the past year, but overcrowding remains a continuing concern for local detention facilities across the state.
A new report from the Indiana Department of Correction shows hundreds of sentenced inmates are still awaiting transfer to state prison facilities.
Backlog numbers show improvement
According to the report, 960 inmates were awaiting transfer from county jails to state prisons as of early April.
The Department of Correction said the average transfer wait time has improved from approximately 60 days last year to between 30 and 45 days currently.
State officials said efforts to reduce delays have helped ease some pressure on county facilities, though significant challenges remain.
County jails continue facing overcrowding concerns
Officials said prolonged waits for prison transfers are contributing to overcrowding in county jails throughout Indiana.
Unlike state prisons, county jails are generally intended for short-term detention and are not designed to house inmates for extended periods after sentencing.
The state currently reimburses counties $42 per day for each sentenced inmate housed locally while awaiting transfer. By comparison, officials said it costs the state approximately $90 per day to house an inmate in a state correctional facility.
Proposed legislation failed earlier this year
Lawmakers considered bipartisan legislation during the most recent session aimed at reducing transfer delays.
The proposal would have required the Indiana Department of Correction to transport sentenced inmates from county detention centers to state prison facilities on a weekly basis.
However, the measure did not pass before the legislative session concluded.
Next steps
State and local officials are expected to continue discussions on ways to reduce transfer backlogs and address overcrowding in county jails.
The Department of Correction has not announced additional policy changes or a timeline for further reductions in inmate transfer wait times.
