Hamilton, OH – Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones says his jail has generated hundreds of millions of dollars for local taxpayers by housing federal and immigration detainees — and that number is about to rise.
According to FOX19NOW, the sheriff’s office has collected roughly $200 million over the past two decades for housing federal prisoners, including those held for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Beginning next month, the county will increase its ICE detention rate from $68 to $105 per day per inmate, Jones said Monday.
So far this year, the sheriff’s office has billed the federal government nearly $9 million, a figure expected to reach $12 million by year’s end and potentially $22 million in 2026. About 300 ICE detainees are held daily at the Butler County Jail — the largest such facility in Ohio — along with federal and local inmates.
The sheriff emphasized that federal housing revenue benefits the entire county. “The taxpayers benefit, we all do,” Jones said, noting that the county maintains no debt and one of Ohio’s highest bond ratings.
However, the lucrative ICE contract has stirred controversy and protests, with critics citing lawsuits and mistreatment allegations against jail staff. County Prosecutor Mike Gmoser sought legal clarification earlier this year, and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost affirmed the sheriff’s legal right to hold both civil and criminal immigration detainees.
The county commission confirmed all detention revenue goes into the general fund, not directly to the sheriff’s budget.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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