Millions in jail commissary money a hot debate

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - They bring in millions of dollars a year, but who should get the money made from jail commissaries? Right now, the Sheriff's Department does, but a state senator has authored a bill to change that.

Commissaries; they're the convenience stores of jails. Jails are run with tax payer money so, according to State Senator Jim Merritt, shouldn't the people have a say in how the commissary money is used?

"Maybe the money is being spent in different ways than what the city council desires. I think they ought to have a say in it," said Merritt.

It's the reason Merritt has penned legislation changing how Marion County's Jail commissary funds are spent. City County Council should have a say, according to Merritt, not just the Sheriff.

"I don't agree that it's taxpayer’s money," said Executive Director of the Indiana Sheriff's Association, Steve Luce. "It's a solution to a problem that's not there."

Merritt says the jail's commissary brings in about $3 million a year, too much for one department's discretion. Luce says, when you're talking about running a jail, it's not that much money. In fact, he says, it just scratches the surface of their expenses.

"It's almost an emergency fund that the sheriff uses and relies a lot on simply because their operation unlike other county office holders. It's open 24/7, it's very dynamic," said Luce.

"I don't have a beef on exactly where the money is being spent. What I think is you're talking about a lot of money and the sunshine ought to be placed on those funds," said Merritt.

Merritt’s bill is currently in the local government committee.

Luce says it's not the only one. He says there is another bill that is trying to take commissary spending privilege away from all 92 Indiana sheriffs.