Oxford Grapples with Controversial Inmate Housing Agreement with Lafayette County

Oxford Navigates Complex Prisoner Housing Agreement with Lafayette County

In a recent meeting, the city of Oxford found itself at the center of a lively discussion surrounding the long-standing agreement with Lafayette County regarding the housing of inmates. Mayor Robyn Tannehill stepped up to address a growing concern about contract negotiations that could impact both the city’s budget and its relationship with the county.

What’s the Current Situation?

Oxford has had a deal in place for quite some time now, wherein the city pays a fee for the detention of individuals arrested within its limits. Traditionally, Oxford has chipped in $35 a day for each prisoner, which covers both misdemeanor and felony cases, at least for the initial days of their incarceration. The state helps out by reimbursing the city this same daily rate.

However, things took a turn in October 2023 when Lafayette County’s Board of Supervisors made a request to bump that daily rate up to $55. In the spirit of cooperation, Oxford agreed to this increase because they wanted to maintain a good working relationship with the county, even though that meant they would still only get reimbursed $35. Mayor Tannehill emphasized this willingness to collaborate during the meeting, stating, “We agreed because we wanted to be a good partner.”

New Challenges on the Horizon

Fast forward to June, when more proposed changes to the contract emerged—changes that put more financial responsibility on the city. These new provisions included taking on the costs associated with medical care for inmates. In under this revised plan, if an inmate requires any off-site medical attention, the Oxford Police Department would need to handle transporting and monitoring them during their appointment.

If the city doesn’t meet this obligation, the county is prepared to step in—but they will charge a hefty $50 per hour administrative fee on top of all other medical costs. Additionally, any prescribed medications are now the city’s responsibility. Failing to pick up these medications promptly incurs the same $50 per hour charge from the county. And in case of medical emergencies, it’s up to Oxford to cover all hospital and ambulance costs, along with monitoring the inmate while they’re being treated.

Taxpayer Impact and Ongoing Discussions

Mayor Tannehill voiced concerns over the financial repercussions of these proposed terms, particularly since residents in Oxford are already contributing a substantial part of the county’s expenses—about two-thirds of the ad valorem taxes. She mentioned, “Our citizens living within Oxford’s city limits are already paying two-thirds of the county’s expenses,” highlighting how burdensome these new responsibilities could become.

Furthermore, Tannehill pointed out that Oxford is already focusing on reducing the length of pretrial detention, an initiative that would ideally lead to lower overall jail costs across Lafayette County. She noted that these efforts should certainly be part of the discussions as the city negotiates the terms of this contract.

Making Progress—Slowly But Surely

Back in July, both parties agreed to revisit the contract after the February 2024 grand jury, aiming to resolve detention issues and assess whether policy changes have effectively brought down jail costs. However, Oxford officials were caught off guard when the Board of Supervisors recently pushed for an immediate signing of the contract. Tannehill expressed frustration, saying, “We’ve come to the table in good faith multiple times, but the goalpost keeps moving.”

The mayor also mentioned that the county sent over documents detailing jail expenses just moments before the meeting, leaving the Board of Aldermen with little time to review them. After the meeting, she suggested that both Oxford and Lafayette County officials should take the time to examine jail costs before making any final decisions.

A Shared Commitment to Find Solutions

Despite the bumps in communication, there is a commitment from both sides to find a fair solution. Lafayette County Supervisor and Board President Brent Larson stated that he and his fellow supervisors are eager to work toward a resolution that benefits all taxpayers after reviewing all necessary data.

Oxford is navigating a tricky situation, but the city’s commitment to partnership and careful consideration of its taxpayers’ needs shines through. As the discussions progress, it’s clear that both the city and county are hopeful to reach an agreement that makes sense for everyone involved.