VCSO pushes for new programs as prison expands | News

VANDERBURGH COUNTY, Ind. (WEVV) – Jail expansion, deputy sheriff retention and pensions were some of the items on the Sheriff’s Office’s agenda for the county’s 2025 budget.

The Vanderburgh County Council has already approved a $30 million expansion of the Vanderburgh County Jail.

While the expansion is expected to address overcrowding and bring over $2 million back to the county in tax dollars, the sheriff's office hopes to implement new programs to help reduce the number of repeat offenders. One of those programs includes a mental health unit for inmates.

Sheriff Noah Robinson of the Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office says, “We hope that with these initiatives we can reduce the recidivism rate and thereby reduce the number of inmates in jail.”

In addition to expanding the jail, the sheriff's office hopes to attract more applicants for deputy sheriff positions by offering competitive salaries and better pensions.

Jill Anne Hahn, President of the Vanderburgh County Council, says, “We recognize the need for public safety and want to make sure we have men and women on our streets protecting our people and our homes.”

Rehabilitation programs will also be offered as part of the prison expansion, which Sheriff Robinson says is very important in reducing the prison population.

“It was important to me not to just build jail cells, because that would be too easy. The more difficult path is to plan how to build a jail that actually reduces the need for jails,” explains Sheriff Robinson.

While the sheriff's office awaits budget approval, foundation work for the new jail extension is scheduled to begin in October.

With budget hearings now concluded, the Vanderburgh County Council will make budget cuts on September 4.