Clay Co. Officials Sued for Lack of Transparency in Proposed Jail Expansion

clay-county-jail-cropped-png-3

BRAZIL, Ind. – Clay County officials have been named as defendants in a lawsuit filed December 15 in Clay Circuit Court.

The lawsuit was filed by Mariposa Legal on behalf of the Communities Not Cages Indiana Coalition. It names three Clay County entities as defendants in the suit: the Clay County Commissioners, Clay County Council, and Clay County Sheriff’s Office.

Documents state the lawsuit centers around the lack of transparency in the county’s proposal to expand their jail. That proposal to expand the jail is expected to cost the county $25-27 million and nearly triple the number of existing beds.

The lawsuit alleges violations of two specific parts of Indiana statute; the Indiana Open Door Law (ODL) and the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA), and asks the court to enjoin county officials from proceeding with the plan until “substantial reconsideration” has been given at a public meeting compliant with the ODL.

To read the complaint, click here. To listen to a recent Focus on the Community episode with Clay County Commissioners where they discuss future plans for the jail, click here.

The lawsuit has now been assigned to Judge Joseph D. Trout of Clay Circuit Court. The defendants have 20 days from the date of filing to respond.