As Court Caseloads Rise, So Does Inmate Population

Kosciusko County Council is closer to approving a budget for 2018 that lacks very few large changes, but will likely face bigger decisions next year involving courts and the jail.

The county jail is creeping closer to capacity, with nearly half of the inmates awaiting trial because of a backlog of cases in the four existing courts.

Council members are aware of the growing problem, but statistics aired last week during a council budget session underscore the situation.

According to Superior Court I Judge David Cates, his court has seen a 100 percent increase in criminal filings in the past 2½ years. His juvenile caseload has risen 21 percent during the same time period. Civil filings, he said, are up 81 percent.

Meanwhile, Sheriff Rocky Goshert told council last week that despite the establishment of several diversion programs aimed at reducing the jail population and other adjustments within the jail, the number of inmates in recent weeks in now hovering around 302. With other changes, including the use of portable beds in group settings, the capacity can be pushed to 326, he said.

Part of the increase in jail population is due to the state’s decision to house low-level offenders in local jails.

Future Plans

Cates said he likes the idea that was touted by council member Sue Ann Mitchell last week to bring together all the players to assess what is needed.

“Everything is inter-related,” Cates said.

“It’s something that needs to be addressed,” he said.

According to one study from the Indiana Supreme Court, Kosciusko County ranks among the top in the state in terms of “severity of need” for more courts.

The county sought legislation this year through the Indiana General Assembly that would create a fifth court, but the bill did not advance and officials were told that a study committee would need to look at the request before lawmakers take a serious look at the request.

Cates said he’s been told a study committee may look at the county’s request and that local officials will be given a chance to testify this fall.

That would set the stage for consideration by lawmakers early next year.

“I’m hopeful the legislative study committee will be scheduled soon so we can go down and express our needs,” Cates said.

One thing working in the county’s favor is that the justice building renovations in 2003 included an additional room that could be used for a fifth court.

If approved, Cates suggested the court could be created by July.

If approved, the state would cover the cost of the new judge, but the county would pay for additional support staff and supplies.

Such a move would diminish the problem, but would not fix it.

“Even if we add a judge, we will still be above the mean and above the median in Indiana counties as far as judicial workload,” Cates said.

Last week, council killed a request by Prosecutor Dan Hampton, who sought an additional deputy prosecutor, which would include a salary of about $88,000. He said the need for additional help has existed for more than two years, but that he had waited to make the request until county finances had improved.

He disagreed with council’s notion that the need for another prosecutor is best addressed with future court expansion, but chose not to take a strong stand in public.

“I would hope and pray that you give me consideration next year for another deputy prosecutor,” Hampton told council members last week.