A plan to address jail overcrowding in Indiana's Marion County was introduced by the sheriff last week. The proposal: To move women out of the jail.
Sheriff Frank Anderson is proposing the move of 250 female inmates out of the Marion County jail to Liberty Hall, a private facility. The sheriff says the move would free up 250 beds for male prisoners and give those with children better counseling and access to their kids.
Former deputy mayor and candidate for prosecutor Melina Kennedy endorsed the plan, saying it would give women prisoners more access to much-needed counseling. One female inmate says she likes the idea. Melanie Wendell, who is the mother of a four-year-old, says the traditional jail setting is no place for a mother who wants to turn her life around. Liberty Hall, a facility located a few blocks east of the Marion County jail on Washington Street, claims it can house the offenders for about the same cost as the county while offering them much more. The building is currently vacant. Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi appeared to endorse the sheriff's plan but is waiting on the cost figures.
“This is something we can get behind. Still, the devil is in the details. As many have asked, we need to figure out a way to pay for it. Hopefully, we can do that and I'm willing to work with the sheriff, Melina [Kennedy] and whomever because it's a very important issue,” said Brizzi.
Liberty Hall says it can house offenders for about $41 on average per day. That compares with $49 per day in the Marion County jail.