The U.S. Marshal’s Service is getting out of the business of helping states move prisoners across the country, at least for now.
Chittenden County Sheriff Kevin McLaughlin says the Marshal Service can move prisoners for a fraction of what it can cost local police and sheriff’s departments.
The Marshal Service suspended allowing states to buy seats on its planes and buses as part of the Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System until at least the end of March.
New Hampshire U.S. Marshal Stephen Monier says his office helped coordinate the moving of 20 inmates last year.
The Marshal Service says state prisoners made up about 1 percent of the 350,000 prisoners moved by its system last year.