Action on the current pay-for-stay™ program at the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio has been tabled until more information can be obtained following Wednesday’s board meeting.

CCNO is currently under a three-year contract with Intellitech which implements its pay-for-stay™ jail fee program that expires in July.  At issue with board members is the high percentage rate that Intellitech charges for its collection services.  CCNO officials are considering switching the jail fee collection business to the Ohio Attorney General’s office although CCNO would be its first client for such a service.

Under the Intellitech service, CCNO receives 70 percent of jail reimbursement funds collected while the inmate remains incarcerated to include a $100 booking fee.  But once released, collection revenues are reduced with CCNO only getting 30 percent while Intellitech maintains 70 percent.

If CCNO switches to the Attorney General’s office, there is a 10 percent service charge. 

Officials estimated that in 2011, CCNO received $112,070.25 in jail reimbursement fees from Intellitech.  Under the attorney general’s office, that amount could have been $228,276.88.  But while the attorney general’s office would charge a lesser rate, officials are concerned there is no guarantee that dollar revenues would be greater if collection efforts are not as aggressive as currently being conducted by Intellitech.

Intellitech founder John Jacobs told board members during the meeting that his company specializes in serving as a collection agency for county jails across the United States and has two people dedicated to CCNO alone.  He said his staff follows strict procedures and is experienced in dealing with the not-so-ideal client as well as complying with due process laws.  He recommended that Intellitech expand its services to include serving as a collection agency for area courts served by CCNO to provide greater revenues.