The days of Dane County prisoners sleeping on floors are out and inmates are moving in to neighboring jails. But the moves are costly.
About a month and a half ago the jail was full, and inmates were sleeping on the floor.
Because of safety concerns Sheriff Gary Hamblin made a change. Inmates are now being sent to neighboring county jails but at taxpayer expense.
If these inmates need to visit with a public defender, travel is also paid for by taxpayers. This all costs a lot of money, but is necessary for the safety of both jail staff and inmates.
Hamblin says "It's up to the county to maintain a jail that's safe and secure for the staff and the inmates and the only way to work towards that safety is to make sure that we aren't the source of the dangerous situation."
Sheriff Hamblin says that overcrowding will cost taxpayers well over a million dollars this year.
Overcrowding at Dane Co. Jail Costly for Taxpayers
