State Rep. Randy Frye Aims To Ease Jail Overcrowding

Friday, February 1, 2019 at 11:18 AM

By Travis Thayer

The Republican from Greensburg has proposed legislation that would send non-violent, low-level felons to a different holding facility.

(Indianapolis, Ind.) – State Rep. Randy Frye (R-Greensburg) has proposed a bill that would help the state with overcrowded jails.

The House Ways and Means Committee voted Thursday in support of Frye’s legislation that would give county sheriffs the option to transport non-violent, low-level felons to regional holding facilities operated by the Indiana Department of Corrections.

In 2017, there were more than 1,300 Level 6 felonies in Indiana. Under Frye’s legislation, those offenders would be eligible for transport to regional holding facilities. They would stay in the holding facility until space opens at their county jail or they complete their sentence.

Frye added that additional funding would be provided to the regional holding facilities.

“Jail overcrowding is a growing problem in Indiana, and space for incoming inmates can be scarce,” Frye said. “In 2017, more than half of Indiana county jails were at or exceeding capacity. This proposed legislation ensures every county has the option to seek additional housing for inmates, if needed.”

The bill now heads to the full House for consideration.