Ivey: Jail food funds can't go into sheriffs' pockets

July 11, 2018 at 9:51 a.m. | Updated July 11, 2018 at 9:51 a.m.

by Associated Press

FILE - In this jan. 10, 2018, file photo, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey gives the annual State of the State address at the Capitol, in Montgomery, Ala. Ivey's campaign is touting in an ad and email to supporters that as governor she signed the largest middle-class tax cut in 10 years, a claim that is true. However, the income tax cut is also modest at best. Ivey, who became governor last year, is stressing her record in office as she faces Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, evangelist Scott Dawson and state Sen. Bill Hightower in the Republican gubernatorial primary on June 5. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)
FILE - In this jan. 10, 2018, file photo, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey gives the annual State of the State address at the Capitol, in Montgomery, Ala. Ivey's campaign is touting in an ad and email to supporters that as governor she signed the largest middle-class tax cut in 10 years, a claim that is true. However, the income tax cut is also modest at best. Ivey, who became governor last year, is stressing her record in office as she faces Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, evangelist Scott Dawson and state Sen. Bill Hightower in the Republican gubernatorial primary on June 5. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey says the state will no longer give jail food funds to "sheriffs personally" in the wake of criticism that some sheriffs profited large sums by skimping on meals.

In a Tuesday memo to the state comptroller, Ivey rescinded the state's 2008 policy of "paying prisoner food service allowances directly to sheriffs in their personal capacities." The directive said the money must go to government accounts.

A Depression-era law gives sheriffs $1.75 a day to feed each prisoner and allowed sheriffs to retain leftovers. Critics argued for decades that gives incentive to feed inmates poorly

Ivey's legal office cited a 2011 attorney general's opinion that funds can only be used for "feeding prisoners." The office said that trumped a 2008 opinion that set up the previous policy.

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