COVID-19 having negative effect on jail budget, population

By Staff, 04/22/20 9:33 AM

PRESCOTT – COVID-19 is affecting the Nevada County Jail population.

Jail Administrator Eric Fatherree, presented information to the members of the Nevada County Quorum Court at its April meeting Tuesday.

The information shows there are currently 35 inmates in the jail, with 28 being paying customers. The drop in incoming prisoners is due to health and safety reasons to protect the inmates and employees from the coronavirus. In addition, the population decrease was due, in part, to kickouts from the Arkansas Department of Correction (ADC).

At this time, the jail is $5,660.16 lower than last year’s average total income. To help save money, expenses have been cut in needed areas. Large expenditures were paid from the quarter-cent sales tax money, which took most of the funds. This included paying the annual worker’s comp fees and insurance on the jail itself.

The state owes Nevada County $35,000 for inmates housed, but the ADC is roughly two months behind on paying its invoices.