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Hinds County Municipalities Call for Delay and Transparency in New Inmate Housing Fees
Mayors of several municipalities in Hinds County issued a letter to the Hinds County Board of Supervisors yesterday in response to a letter from Supervisor Robert Graham, who proposed imposing a daily charge for inmates detained at the Hinds County Detention Center by municipal or law enforcement agencies.
The mayors expressed concern over the lack of prior communication and requested key information from the Board to assess the proposal. They were particularly dismayed that Supervisor Graham’s letter was sent just one day before municipal budgets were set to take effect. Given that costs could reach six or seven figures, cities need substantially more notice to plan for these expenditures in their budgets. The municipalities also emphasized that state law requires a contract between the Board and each municipality before any payments can be made.
The mayors stated their willingness to engage in good-faith negotiations and requested a meeting with the Board once their information requests have been addressed to begin discussions on the matter.
Letter to Hinds County BOS