Sheriff seeks funding to open Mahoning County minimum security jail
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene is asking the county for more money to open the minimum security jail on West Commerce Street in Youngstown.
During a hearing on Thursday, the sheriff requested an overall budget of $21 million for 2014.
If approved, he says $1.7 million would be used to open the 100 bed facility.
Greene says he'd like to offer a drug rehabilitation at the jail to treat inmates.
"We believe the heroin situation right now in our community is an epidemic. We don't see it ending at any time.", said Greene. "We think that if we can get some of these inmates treatment, it will certainly alleviate recidivism and possibly lower some of the crime within our area."
If the county approves his budget request, Greene says he would then have to apply for grant to help fund the rehabilitation program
