Bill To Tap Inmates For Jail Funds Killed

Legislation that would have required jail inmates to reimburse counties for the costs of their incarceration was killed this week by a legislative committee.

Although Ada County Sheriff Vaughn Killeen argued the measure would help counties raise money for jail costs, lawmakers were swayed by arguments from the American Civil Liberties Union and other opponents.

They said the payments would penalize inmates’ families, and interfere with inmates’ ability to pay restitution to the victims of their crimes.