Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By RALPH ANSAMI
Bessemer — The Gogebic County Jail in Bessemer is overcrowded “and there’s more coming,” sheriff Peter Matonich told the county board Wednesday.
Matonich said the jail was housing 30 inmates and six more were jailed in Iron County, Wis., under an agreement between the two counties.
“We’re doing everything we can to try to quell it,” Matonich said of the overcrowding situation.
The sheriff said he was addressing the county board because his budget is taking a hit with the extra inmates. He explained that not only is there an increase in food costs when the jail is full, but he has to pay deputies overtime and there can be added medical expenses involved, as well.
Matonich said he’s trying his best to keep within his annual budget, but noted the bill for housing inmates in the jail at Hurley could cost Gogebic County around $7,000 for March.
Matonich said he appreciates the fact that Iron County has reduced the fee to house Gogebic inmates and is charging a “reasonable” rate.
Working with the court, some inmates who were serving relatively minor sentences, such as 10 days, were granted early releases to cope with overcrowding, the sheriff said.
The numerous drug arrests in recent months have added to the problem, commissioners noted.
