MARCH 7, 2025 INJUSTICE BUDGET page 4 privacy as a reason for not utilizing jail telecommunication. The buddy's precautions proved justified as the info session section about telecommunication concluded with the example of Securus violating privacy laws and charging extra fees for location-based services. Concerns with privacy and inappropriate costs were cited as prompting a WCSO contract change in 2020. When discussing jail technology, another buddy said “it don’t work like it does in prison so it doesn’t really matter.” Food was a presentation focus on several slides; therefore the issue requires attention from multiple angles. The current food contract at the County jail, according to the researchers, is with Canteen Services LLC. Kat and Corn described food as a tool for managing inmate behavior and reducing liability. Food costs were reportedly referenced by the previous sheriff as a “significant factor in the jail’s budget deficit.” Presenters explained that the nature of the Canteen Services contract encourages a larger jail population by lowered per meal costs, and commissionable earnings potential of up to 45%. According to the presentation the 2024 FY budget report stated “rising food expenses have surpassed personnel savings.” While it may be true food costs are on the rise, there was a 2020 change reported in the contract. The current contract dictates that the larger the jail population the lower the price per meal, and the more inmates spend on commissary, the higher the WCSO commission revenues. According to the presentation, the lowered number of inmates during the beginning of the pandemic was costly as meal costs were very high, and commissionable opportunities were fewer. A buddy with food allergies shared that a medical professional suggested ordering commissary to address diet gaps. The same buddy was held on a $50 bond, never received funds to purchase commissary, could not make any phone calls, and has tested on the diabetic spectrum since being released. Regardless of who holds the food contract, a contractual challenge for the jail appears to be balancing staffing costs. Balancing staff costs is more complicated than Canteen, however the condition might be improved with a clearer understanding of all applicable WCSO contracts. A buddy summed the current status of jail technology as “not working like it's supposed to.” Revenues through criminalization A significant funding source mentioned during the info session included Kat Layton and Corn Williams present their research findings at an ICPJ civic education event on February 24. Photo submitted. state and federal grants. A 2024 contract highlighted during the presentation was a Justice Assistance Grant. This JAG grant was packaged as a state “road safety” grant, which incentivizes criminalization of driving tickets. The presenters explained many current practices tie local funding to increased ticketing. Aside from the additional cost burden to citizens, the problem with many incentivized contracts is that many prospective financial gains are consumed by operational costs including vehicle maintenance, fuel and employee wages. Grant contracts often expect a large amount of costly fund matching. Historical examples of cost sharing include absorbing bailiff salaries, tethers and/or drug testing. For those interested in combing through the FOIA request, reviewing the PowerPoint from the info session or further exploring participatory budgeting, you may contact Corn or Kat via ICPJ at info@icpj.org. Consider engaging the Public Safety expanded court hours, unpaid or underpaid peers, a lack of pay increases for employees, billing insurance companies, and out-ofpocket costs to former inmates for Millage Advisory Committee, which provides oversight on the WCSO millage revenues — and offer your insights and suggestions. In addition to other ideas, the session suggests a call for increased community participation, abolishment of for-profit incarceration, detailed transparency from the new Sheriff’s administration, and asks that funds be dedicated to addressing generational trauma from state violence. In short, better conditions are possible for all. GROUNDCOVER NEWS 7
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