Ohio — $13.2M+ detention economy, Butler County leads at $14M/yr
Overview
Six Ohio corrections facilities collectively received over $13.2 million from federal agencies for immigration enforcement in 2025, with Butler County alone exceeding $14 million. The financial incentives are driving rapid expansion, with Butler County projecting $20 million in 2026 revenue. Per-diem rates vary widely across facilities, from $90 (Seneca) to $125 (Mahoning) to an undisclosed rate at the CoreCivic private facility.
Key Details
Revenue by facility (2025):
| Facility | Per-diem | Est. Annual Revenue |
|---|---|---|
| Butler County Jail | $105/day (+$47 transport) | $14M+ (projecting $20M for 2026) |
| Mahoning County Justice Center | $125/day | ~$4.5M |
| CCNO (Stryker) | $117/day (+mileage/transport) | $1M+ |
| Seneca County Jail | $90/day ($10 profit margin) | $1M+ |
| Geauga County Safety Center | Secret (contract withheld) | $1M+ |
| NE Ohio Correctional Center (CoreCivic) | Not disclosed | Undisclosed (profits doubled) |
Financial dynamics:
- Butler County rate increase: $68 to $105/day (54% increase in November 2025)
- Total projected if all beds filled: Over $54 million statewide
- ICE grants on top of per-diem: Butler received $1M+ in ICE grants for vehicles, deputies, UAC program
- CoreCivic profits: Operator of NEOCC saw profits double amid ICE surge
- ICE arrests nearly quadrupled: From ~880 (2024) to 1,770+ (2025)
- Cincinnati area arrests: 849 in 2025 (highest of any Ohio metro)
- Central Ohio (Columbus): 701+ arrests in 2025
ACLU “ICE in Ohio” Report Update (March 2026)
- Total detained: 810 across 6 facilities (up 75% from earlier counts)
- Clermont County: Signed 287(g) but receives ZERO reimbursement from ICE — only free training and IT equipment. Clermont taxpayers are subsidizing federal immigration enforcement with no financial return
- Columbus City Council: Banned ICE detention centers in city limits, blocking potential facility revenue
- Statewide trajectory: If all jail beds in contracted Ohio facilities were filled, the financial gain would exceed $54 million — but Clermont shows not all counties see a dime
Pattern Match
The Ohio per-diem rates ($90-$125) are lower than many southern states (LA facilities at $74-110 but with higher volumes) but the rapid scaling from $0 to $13.2M+ in one year demonstrates how the detention economy creates its own momentum. Butler County’s trajectory from $14M to projected $20M is a 43% year-over-year growth rate. The Clermont County situation adds a new wrinkle: some counties are entering 287(g) agreements for purely ideological reasons, receiving zero financial compensation while bearing the costs of training and enforcement.