The Indiana Department of Correction finally is beginning to repay dozens of counties to cover their costs for housing state prisoners, ending months of delays that left local jails without reimbursement. The time lag is inexcusable, and systemic problems remain.

As of Monday, Allen County hasn’t received a payment since October 2024. That’s 11 months without a dime from the Department of Correction — even as state-sentenced inmates make up 15% of the jail’s population.

This isn’t only a bookkeeping issue. It’s an operational and public safety concern. The Allen County Jail is a $20 million-a-year operation. The close to $1 million the state now owes, according to county spokesperson Emily Almodovar, could fund several confinement officers. Those are jobs the county cannot afford to go w

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