Officials from two central Indiana counties are considering the possibility of opening a regional jail that they would share.
County council members from Madison and Henry counties are expected to meet soon to discuss the process and possible location for what could be combined 800-bed facility.
The two counties partially border each other on the northwest side of Henry County and southeast side of Madison county.
State Rep. Thomas Saunders of New Castle told The Herald Bulletin of Anderson that the facility would be the first such regional jail in Indiana. A private entity would build, operate and maintain the facility.
Sheriffs from both counties say they aren't opposed to a shared jail, but have questions about additional transportation costs and whether they would also need buildings in New Castle and Anderson to hold prisoners. New Castle is about 25 miles southeast of Anderson.
Henry County Sheriff Richard McCorkle says the county needs to move quickly on finding more jail space as he must now send 50 inmates to other counties.
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