The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is asking a judge to force the Indiana Department of Correction to follow state law requiring the quick transfer of felony-sentenced convicts to state custody.

In a news release issued Wednesday afternoon, the sheriff’s office said Indiana law requires the Department of Correction to accept people convicted of felonies within five days of a court judgment. However, the release said, the state routinely fails to meet that requirement, leaving convicts in the Marion County Adult Detention Center for many weeks after they are sentenced.

It was not immediately clear from the release in what court the case was filed.

Circle City Broadcasting reached out to the Indiana Department of Correction on Wednesday night for comment but did not receive an immediate reply.

As of Wednesday, the release said, 258 felony-sentenced convicts were waiting at the center for a transfer, accounting for nearly 10% of the total inmate population.

The sheriff’s office said the state’s delays strain the facility and its staff, and cost county taxpayers. The sheriff’s office estimated it costs about $85 per day to house each inmate, but the state reimburses the county $42 per day for convicts. The sheriff’s office estimated the state’s failure to pay the full amount creates a $4 million annual financial burden for the county.

The lawsuit also argues that transfer delays keep convicts from accessing state education and job training programs unavailable in local jails.

This article was written by WRTV reporter Gregg Montgomery.