February 16, 2018
IF SIGNED BY BEVIN BILL WOULD LET JAILS ACROSS THE STATE USE PRISONER CANTEEN PROFIT FUNDS TO PAY FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY UPGRADES
IMPENDING NEW LAW DOES AWAY WITH ORIGINAL THAT REQUIRED JAILS TO USE FUNDS ONLY FOR BETTER ‘WELL BEING FOR PRISONERS’
FEBRUARY 16, 2018- written by WADE QUEEN
A new bill that was passed by the Kentucky legislature this week now only needs the governor’s signature to become law. The bill would let county jails and regional detention centers across the state use funding from prison canteens to beef up and enhance safety and security at those facilities.
House Bill 92, sponsored by Represenative Jill York, Repiblican-Grayson (and whose district in the KY House also represents all of Lawrence County), received final passage by a vote of 89-0 Thursday February 15 in the House.
The Senate amended then original House bill and passed HB 92 by a 34-2 vote on Tuesday, February 13, before being sent back to the House for consideration of the Senate amendment.
“It is an honor for me to carry this piece of legislation, which will allow for increased use of body scanners, cameras, and other security instruments that will improve jails across the state,” York said.
York also thanked the work of State Auditor Mike Harmon, Carter County Jailer RW Boggs and the Kentucky Jailers Association to help her make the bill a reality.
The bill would expand current law requiring jail canteen proceeds be used “for the benefit and to enhance the well-being of the prisoners.”
Senator John Schickel, Republican-Union, who is a former county jailer, said a canteen is a store within a correctional facility from which inmates may buy things like hygiene products, stamps and snacks. In the past, he said jailers have used canteen profits to purchase recreational equipment for the inmates.
Under HB 92, future purchases may include items like metal detectors, which some cash-strapped jails say they have struggled to afford.
Big Sandy Regional Detention Center administrator F.D. “Pete” Fitzpatrick said he is in favor of the legislation.
“I have not read the final version of the Bill but based on the information released I believe that this expansion could be put to good use by allowing expenditures from canteen or commissary profits for the purchase of technology that could make our jails safer.”
Sen. Robin L. Webb, D-Grayson, stood in support of HB 92. She said the legislation arose out of Carter County’s struggle to purchase a metal detector to reduce the amount of contraband being smuggled into the local jail.
“It was frustrating to see what a challenge it was to get funds to do that,” Webb said. “We looked at grant opportunities and what other resources would be available to us.”
Senator Perry B. Clark, Democrat-Louisville, spoke against HB 92. He said it was the responsibility of government to provide safety and security in jails.
HB 92 now goes to the Governor Matt Bevin for his signature; whereupon when he does, it would take effect immediately upon being signed, due to the amendment added to the original House bill, in the form of a Senate committee substitute, that added an emergency clause. That is a provision in a bill that it become effective immediately upon approval by the governor rather than 90 days after adjournment of the Kentucky legislature.
