Putnam Sheriff Hopes For $3M In US Marshal Contract

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Department could make up to $3 million yearly in a contract with the U.S. Marshal’s Office to house federal inmates.

Sheriff Eddie Farris said the completed agreement sets aside some 110 beds for federal inmates at $75 a day. He said as the county grows, a higher inmate population will not allow the arrangement to last forever. He said for now, even if all 110 beds are not filled all year, the revenue could be a nice lift for taxpayers.

“We’ve had to grow to keep up with demands and needs,” Farris said. “And as your sheriff here in this county, the number one priority is keep it safe and secure, but also give the taxpayers the very best professional sheriff’s office we can have and that’s what we strive to do, and as you know it takes money to do so.”

Farris said he hopes the department can keep up the arrangement for at least the next three to five years. He said the program would begin as soon as the new jail opens in late July or August.

“When it increases to a certain point, then, obviously, we’ll have to have those county beds for the county needs instead of looking to make some revenue,” Farris said. “Not sure how long that will be. It could be longer that five years, but I think for a few years here, we can do what we’re trying to do.”

He said the federal inmates, as many as 100 males and 10 females, will be pretrial, non-convicted inmates that will mix in with the jail’s existing population right away. He said the county currently houses some state inmates and receives $45 daily for those. He said the difference in $45 and $75 pre day adds up.

“I’ve got a great relationship with both the middle district marshal as well as the eastern district marshal,” Farris said. “I worked with both of those at a previous employment, so good folks. Certainly our friends, and I look forward to the relationship.”