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Inmates have steadily grown over last decade

COLUMBUS—The number of inmates the Polk County Jail has processed over the last decade has ranged from 687 inmates in a year to 1,122 inmates processed last year. 

The Polk County Board of Commissioners was recently presented its audit report for fiscal year 2018-2019, which ended June 30, 2019. The audit report contains statistical information regarding the county over the last decade. 

The least amount of inmates processed over the last decade occurred in 2013, with 687 inmates processed at the Polk County Jail. 

The numbers over the past decade have been up and down slightly, but had a steady increase overall. There were 761 inmates processed in 2010, compared to 1,122 processed in 2019, according to the audit report. 

The year 2015 was the second most inmates processed, which was 1,119, according to the audit report. 

The county recently constructed a new law enforcement center, after having the former jail since the early 1970s. 

The new jail and law enforcement center opened in the summer of 2018. Construction of the new law enforcement center, which houses 60 inmates, including males, females and juveniles began in December 2016. The county took out a $13.5 million loan to construct the new law enforcement center and is paying back the loan through a 2-cent tax increase, enacted during the 2016-2017 fiscal year. 

County officials purchased approximately 21 acres of land for the new law enforcement center with plans in the future to house a new courthouse and county government buildings when needed. 

Polk County Sheriff Tim Wright (R) took office in December 2018, shortly after the new law enforcement center was complete. 

 

Polk County inmates processed

2010: 761

2011: 715

2012: 757

2013: 687

2014: 926

2015: 1,119

2016: 910

2017: 992

2018: 965

2019: 1,122