Dan Carden

Hoosier taxpayers initially will cover the up-front costs of turning an unused portion of a state prison near Kokomo into a federal internment facility for individuals awaiting deportation from the United States.

The Republican-led State Budget Committee is poised to vote Wednesday to approve spending $15.8 million in state funds to prepare the Miami Correctional Facility for federal immigration and law enforcement use.

The work includes perimeter fencing and lighting enhancements, construction of temporary housing structures, modifications to the intake and processing areas, putting in place a drone prevention system, and installing drug detection and x-ray screening equipment.

It's not yet known whether the federal government ultimately will reimburse the state for the cos

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