KIRKSVILLE, MO. --
For Tuesday's Facebook Story of The Day, many viewers wanted to know about the costs to keep an inmate in jail.
KTVO went to The Adair County Sheriff’s Office in Kirksville and learned that they charge $35 a day to house an inmate in the county jail.
Utilities such as electricity and water are factored into that $35 rate.
Other expenses such as meals and medical care are separate from the $35 a day charge.
The cost of meals varies on how many inmates are being housed. The rates are as follows:
1-39 inmates $2.64 a meal
40-44 inmates $2.48 a meal
45-49 inmates $2.18 a meal
55+ inmates $1.95 a meal
The costs of medical care also vary. The rates are as follows:
To see the in house doctor $45 a visit
To see the in house nurse $15 a visit
Monthly charge for taking prescription medication $15
Monthly charge for taking over the counter medication $10
Sheriff Robert Hardwick said it is the inmate’s responsibility to pay when he or she gets out of jail.
“By statute under 221.070 and 221.122, the inmate is responsible for their own costs while being incarcerated in a county jail.” Said Hardwick. “It's not the citizens of Adair County or the community of Kirksville, it's the inmate's. The statue clearly defines their responsibility lies on them.”
The $35 a day rate is the same throughout the state of Missouri.
If you want to know more about the state law, go to http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/chapters/chap221.htm
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKTVO