Jail Bed Rentals

Jail Bed Rentals

The Benton County Jail lacks the capacity to house all adults in custody (AICs) ordered to remain in custody. To address this, the Sheriff’s Office rents 40 jail beds in partner facilities. Currently, the Sheriff’s Office contracts with Polk County for pretrial adults in custody and with Clatsop County Jail for sentenced adults in custody.

Transports

The Sheriff’s Office regularly moves AICs between the Benton County Jail and contract facilities to manage capacity. In 2023, deputies transported 792 adults in custody and traveled 33,393 miles. In 2024, deputies transported 731 adults in custody and traveled 31,799 miles.

Deputies use a structured process to decide which AICs to transport. For example, they consider bed availability, pretrial or sentenced status, length of stay, the nature of the AIC’s offense, upcoming court appearances, and other factors. As a result, transport decisions balance both safety and logistical needs.

Costs

A public option levy funds the Jail Bed Rental Program. Voters first approved this levy in 2000. Since then, they have renewed it regularly, most recently in 2021. Additionally, Benton County taxpayers currently pay nearly $1 million per year for this program.