A partnership the DeWitt County Sheriff's Department has with Cook County to house inmates is well under way.

DeWitt County Sheriff Jered Shofner explains the first inmates arrived from Cook County about two weeks ago. The Sheriff notes the transition has gone a lot smoother than he was expecting.

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This is an agreement not only the DeWitt County Sheriff's Department has entered into with Cook County, but also Moultrie and Piatt Counties' Sheriff's Departments did as well. Sheriff Shofner says it's a good opportunity for all three departments to take some burden off local tax payers.

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The Sheriff's Department is receiving over $50 per day to house each prisoner. Sheriff Shofner says that money covers feeding them and their medical needs.

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Sheriff Shofner explains a majority of the costs associated with the jail are fixed costs. Whether there are 50 prisoners, or 100 prisoners, the jail is going to have those costs.

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Not only does the added revenue pay the staffs costs, but it also gets pumped into another local entity, the Dr. John Warner Hospital. The DJWH provides the jail with meals for the prisoners, and the Sheriff's Department spends a lot of money with the hospital for that need alone.