A new intergovernmental agreement (IGA) in place between Archuleta and La Plata counties dictates how inmates will be transported back to Archuleta County for release, among outlining other issues relating to La Plata County’s housing of Archuleta County inmates.
La Plata County began housing Archuleta County’s inmates in late April, when the Archuleta County Detention Center flooded during a storm and was rendered unusable and uninhabitable.
Since that time, the two counties have worked to formulate a formal agreement to cover costs and other issues associated with housing the inmates through a rental agreement.
Inmates being released into La Plata County has been the biggest issue regarding reaching an agreement, with La Plata County officials seeking to not have those released from jail after bonding out or completing a sentence remaining in La Plata County, which occurred prior to the agreement.
According to the agreement, which was approved by the Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners in a special meeting Tuesday morning, inmates will now not be released from custody until they are transported back to Archuleta County.
Tuesday’s meeting was a continuation of sorts from an Aug. 6 special meeting on the same topic.
In introducing the topic on Tuesday morning, Archuleta County Administrator Bentley Henderson explained that the issue of inmate release caused a stalemate of sorts until Archuleta County officials met with a La Plata County commissioner to determine a solution amenable to both counties.
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