Lakewood Jail To House Prisoners From Other Communities

LAKEWOOD, OH — Lakewood City Jail will soon house prisoners from other communities for a per prisoner fee.

Lakewood City Council approved a resolution this week allowing the jail to take in prisoners from surrounding municipalities. The city will receive $125 per prisoner per day, according to the contract approved by council.

"We always have staff working the jail, so we can easily house an extra prisoner or two for a neighboring suburb without bringing in additional personnel," said Lakewood Police Chief Kevin Kaucheck.

Fairvew Park officials requested aid from Lakewood in housing prisoners, according to the resolution passed by Lakewood City Council. Kaucheck said he does not plan to profit from Lakewood Jail, but will use this opportunity to help neighboring cities while defraying operational costs.

Lakewood Jail typically has "one to several prisoners at any given time," Kaucheck said. Only on rare instances — like Christmas Eve — is the jail empty.