Johnson County voters uninterested in expanding crowded jail

FRANKLIN, Ind. (WISH) - The Johnson County Jail will not get the multi-million dollar expansion that county leaders considered a critical need.

Residents overwhelmingly voted against the measure on Tuesday's ballot. It would've raised property taxes to pay for a $23 million jail expansion.

If passed, the measure would've added 400 new beds in a two-story tower at the jail.

"Maybe they can come up with some other method of handling criminals other than locking them up," said voter Laura Bordenkecher.

Johnson County Prosecutor Brad Cooper said he will consider putting more people in Community Corrections or on home detention. But, he added, Community Corrections is already overcrowded too.

24 Hour News 8's Liza Danver asked Cooper if there was a possibility for lighter sentences.

He said, "Not one bit, absolutely not. We're not going let up due to overcrowding. If we've got to pack them in, we've got to pack them in."

The sheriff's office said with the expansion project failing, they'll have to be creative with incarceration. The jail is already over capacity and has been for some time.

The prosecutor said he'll work with law enforcement and the courts to come up with an alternative sentencing plan for non-violent offenders who are facing misdemeanors. However, felons and violent criminals will only see the inside of a jail cell.

Inmates have sued due to overcrowding in the past. Cooper said the county will cross that bridge when they come to it.