Volusia County issued the following announcement on Feb. 15.
To help defray costs associated with feeding and housing inmates, most counties in Florida – at least 50 out of 67 – charge jail inmates with booking or subsistence fees, and in some cases both. And now, Volusia County will be joining them.
Volusia County already charges inmates a medical co-pay – $8 for a sick call and $4 per medication. The County’s Corrections Division, which operates two jails, recommended the imposition of additional inmate fees. On Tuesday the Volusia County Council agreed, directing the County to start assessing a one-time administrative booking fee and a daily inmate subsistence fee as well. The Council decided to set the booking fee at $30 and the daily subsistence fee at $5. Both fees are specifically provided for under Florida law.
Volusia County Corrections Director Mark Flowers told council members on Tuesday that there’s no way to know for sure how much money inmate booking and subsistence fees will generate. But he said any amount will help lessen the burden on taxpayers.
“Right now, what I can promise you is we’re not collecting anything,” said Flowers. “So something, in my opinion, is definitely better than nothing.”
Councilman Danny Robins called the fees reasonable, particularly in light of the cost to incarcerate inmates.
“It can become very costly,” said Robins. “I think you’re being more than reasonable.”
Florida statutes exempt subsistence fees for inmates who perform various jobs within the jail. Additionally, while money can be withdrawn from an inmate’s cash account at the jail to pay the fees, inmates will be provided a grievance process to present reasons why they shouldn’t be collected. Inmate fees that go unpaid for more than three years will be forgiven.
Flowers told council members that he hopes to implement the fees around Oct. 1.
Original source can be found here.
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