Agency: Corrections

Line Item: Jail Reimbursement

Background

The Jail Reimbursement program moved from Corrections to Finance per HB 220 of the 2009 General Session. While funding and financial management will be directed by the Department of Finance, the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice (CCJJ) will oversee the day-to-day management of the program.

The Jail Reimbursement Program is established by statute to reimburse the county jails for offenders sentenced to jail as a condition of felony probation. Under this program, counties bill the state for each day that a qualifying offender spends in their jail. The Jail Reimbursement amount is calculated at 50% of the "final state daily incarceration rate" as defined in 64-13e-102 in the Utah State Code. (Upon review of actual state daily incarceration rates assisted by the Department of Corrections and reviewed by counties, other local and state officials, the Legislature designates the "final state daily incarceration rate". This rate is used to base Jail Reimbursement and Jail Contracting calculations.)

Medical and transportation expenses related to the care and service of the felony probationers are not statutorily required to be paid as a part of jail reimbursements. If funds are available above and beyond the 50% reimbursement, the department may pay for some medical and transportation costs. Although medical and transportation costs are negotiated with counties annually, counties often do not receive compensation for these performed services.

Statutory Authority

The Jail Reimbursement Program is governed by UCA 64-13e-104.

Funding Detail

FY 2008 and FY 2009 nonlapsing balances do not match with previous year's closing nonlapsing balances due to transfer of the funding to the Division of Finance.