Anderson County plans to increase inmate fees to offset the county’s financial burden as it approaches the opening of an addition to the county's detention facility.
The Knoxville News Sentinel reports that commissioners have approved raising current rates on items like toilet paper and inmate clothing and may also require inmates to co-pay medical and dental care.
Misdemeanor offenders already pay $50 a day in jailer’s fees, with a cap of $500. The commission has voted to remove that cap.
Inmates may also be charged for a jailer to escort them to visit sick family members in hospital or to attend funerals.
Commissioners have agreed, however, that the county will cover the first GED test for an inmate seeking a high school equivalency.
Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank says she plans to approve the medical/dental co-pay resolution, but has questions about some of the other plans, and may veto.
