The Chariton County Commissioners and Chariton County Sheriff recently decided to discontinue housing inmates at the Chariton County Jail effective March 1, 2023 according to authorities.

The current jail was constructed in 1995 and houses a maximum of 35 inmates. The building also contains E-911, the Sheriff’s Department, Coroner’s Office and Emergency Management Office, who will continue to use it.

For many years the jail was kept operational by housing inmates from other counties, though currently only Carroll County is contracted to house inmates at the facility. In 2022, the jail averaged 2.5 Chariton County inmates and 4.5 Carroll County inmates per day.

Decreased revenues due to fewer inmates and increases in expenses such as wages, food, supplies and equipment and repair costs have been cited as a reason for the closure as well as rules implemented in 2019 in regard to how judges can set bail in the state, making those accused of crimes more likely to be released than held in county jail.

The commissioners and sheriff estimate the county will lose $275,000 per year by continuing to operate the jail and plan to place county inmates in the Randolph County Jail in Huntsville. Boarding and transportation costs are estimated at $75,000 per year. By closing the jail and moving inmates, authorities expect to save an estimated $200,000 per year.