Iowa Inmates May Be Forced to Pay for Toilet Paper

BURLINGTON, Iowa – Inmates at the Des Moines County jail in Burlington may have to begin paying for toilet paper. The county is facing a more than $1.7 million deficit in this year's budget and the Board of Supervisors gave department heads the option of cutting costs or facing the possibility of unpaid furloughs or layoffs.

The county also is moving forward with a $1 million bond issue later this month, leaving department directors to make up the balance.

County Budget Director Cheryl McVey says billing inmates for toilet paper could save more than $2,300.