FRANKFORT, Ky. (WCHS) — A huge financial burden has hit many of Kentucky’s 120 counties. At issue is the rising cost of housing inmates in county jails. Those expenses continue to climb, forcing counties to divert money from other critical services.
According to the Kentucky Association of Counties, local governments transferred nearly $170 million to support county jails in 2025. That represents a 76% increase over the past six years.
“We want you to understand that we are at a crisis point among county governments related to county jails, and we are open to listening to any ideas that can be brought forward,” said Representative Mike Meredith, a Republican from Edmonson County…