LAWERNCE CO. – At Tuesday morning’s commissioners’ meeting, Lawrence County Sheriff Greg Day presented a comprehensive commissary report covering the six months from July 1 to December 31. He clarified that the funds discussed are not taxpayer money but are generated from selling items to inmates.
The sheriff’s department manages the jail commissary, overseeing depositing money into inmate accounts and allowing inmates to purchase items during designated times. The revenue from these commissary purchases is allocated for various operational expenses, including facilities, personnel, special law enforcement training, and equipment such as vehicles. Funds may also support establishing and maintaining the sex and violent offender registry website, along with any other mutually agreed-upon expenses benefiting the sheriff’s department.
In the last six months, the commissary generated over $179,000 in revenue while approximately $172,000 was spent, demonstrating a healthy operation. The department’s financial performance in 2024 reflects continued growth, with earnings reaching $450,925.25 against expenditures of $456,144.73. The beginning balance for 2024 was around $57,000; by December 31, the ending balance had risen to $151,097.51.
Sheriff Day highlighted the effectiveness of the commissary as a self-sustaining revenue source that supports the jail’s operational needs and contributes to the broader mission of the sheriff’s department in Lawrence County without using taxpayer money.
Sheriff Day also presented the jail inmate county. As of Tuesday morning, 77 inmates were housed at the jail; 62 were males, 15 were females, four Department of Correction holds, two parole holds, and two Level 6 felons.
