Madison County holds a town hall to discuss jail expansion

RICHMOND, Ky. (WTVQ) – Madison County Detention Center has chronically been overcrowded.

A problem the county is trying to fix with an expansion. But, the county tax payers have to foot the bill.

Something some people at the town hall said they just can’t afford.

According to Madison County each home would pay between $100 to $300 more annually, depending on the size of their homes.

“I cannot except the fact that this county is going to provide a new Taj Mahal for prisoners, they outta be in trailers,” Michael Oliver said during public comment.

Colleen Chaney, Deputy Judge Executive, said the jail has a inmate to jailer ration of 50:1. The recommended ratio is 40:1.

“This is completely necessary in order, not to just start rehabilitating the drug epidemic that we’re seeing in Madison County and Richmond alone, but to make our town a safer place,” Josh, another public commentator said during the town hall.

The fiscal court is set to vote on the expansion on Sept. 10.

For more information on the town hall’s presentation or about the expansion click here.