West Virginia counties that don't pay jail bills could be costing counties that do

With several West Virginia counties failing to pay to house their inmates at the state’s regional jails, the counties that do pay may end up footing more of the costs, officials say.

Thirteen counties are more than 90 days past due on their bills to the Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority, according to numbers provided by a spokesman for the state Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety. Of those, six counties owe more than $100,000. All together, the late bills total about $5.5 million.

The counties with the highest overdue bills are Cabell, which owes approximately $2.5 million; Webster, which owes $1.68 million; and Lincoln, with $683,808 overdue. Last year, the state Supreme Court ordered Webster County to pay its bill, after it fell behind by more than $1.5 million.

County commissions pay for jail inmates who are arrested in their counties no matter if the sheriff’s office, city police or State Police make the arrest.

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