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SB 360 will increase prisoner per diem A bill that would raise the daily reimbursement from the state to local jails for housing state inmates passed the Senate unanimously last week in Atlanta. "Sheriffs and local officials across the state have been asking for increased compensation for housing state prisoners for years," Sheriff Jimmie Murkerson stated. Senate Bill 360 would raise to $30 from $7.50 the minimum per diem that local governments get for housing inmates awaiting transfer to state prison. Despite the current $7.50 minimum, county jails receive $20 per day for each prisoner they hold after the first 15 days. The legislation was introduced at the requests of county officials and county sheriffs, who have complained of the high costs of housing state prisoners. Because of a lack of prison space, sentenced prisoners accumulate in local jails for extrended periods as they await transfers to state prisons. As a result, jails become overcrowded and local taxpayers are strapped with costs which should be borne by the state.
"These prisoners have cost local taxpayers a lot of money over the years," Murkerson stated. "This legislation will help, but it still won't pay all of the state's prisoners cost."
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