A months-long backlog of county jail inmates awaiting transfer to state prisons is finally moving, according to Spectrum News. Only a handful of individuals will be relocated each week despite more than 2,000 people waiting statewide.
Monroe County Sheriff Todd Baxter said 179 inmates in his jail are ready for transfer, costing taxpayers $45,000 daily in extra staffing. Erie County faces a similar situation, with 129 inmates waiting and slow movement expected.
Officials warn that it could take months to clear the backlog, straining county budgets and raising safety concerns for staff and inmates alike.