FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City Council unanimously approved an agreement with Vernon County officials to house inmates at the Vernon County Jail Facility in Nevada, Mo. Sheriff Jason Mosher approached Springfield’s Police Chief Paul Williams, after hearing about Springfield’s difficulties in finding a temporary solution to the inmate housing issue.
Vernon County has a 108-bed jail and ample space to accommodate Springfield prisoners, according to Sheriff Jason Mosher. He and Chief Williams negotiated a rate of $45 a-day-per inmate, with Vernon County agreeing to provide transportation to and from Springfield once a day Monday - Friday for up to 10 prisoners. Transport and housing will begin Jan. 2, 2017.
The Vernon County Commission approved the agreement Nov. 29.
Greene County Sheriff Jim Arnott closed the Greene County City-County Consolidated jail facility in April 2015 to municipal inmates. In addition to Springfield, other local municipalities in the County are also affected.
From April 3, 2015 to Nov. 21, 2016, 6,983 people have been arrested on 10,533 municipal warrants, and, per judge’s order, released on their own recognizance (ROR) with a court date, rather than taking them to jail.
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For more information, contact Cora Scott, Director of Public Information & Civic Engagement, at 417-380-3352 or [email protected] or Police Chief Paul Williams at 417-864-1780 or [email protected]