Warren Approves New Contract with County for Jail

City Council unanimously passes 3-year deal to house prisoners at Trumbull County Jail

Mar. 12, 2026 at 4:09am

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The city of Warren, Ohio has approved a new three-year contract with Trumbull County to house city prisoners at the county jail. The agreement, which passed unanimously as an emergency measure, will cost the city $500,000 in the first year, $515,000 in the second, and $530,450 in the third year from 2026 to 2028.

Why it matters

The new contract allows Warren to avoid the costs and liabilities of operating its own city jail, which it had done in the past. The agreement ensures priority space for Warren prisoners at the county jail, which is currently housing around 305 inmates.

The details

Under the new contract, Warren will pay Trumbull County to house its prisoners at the county jail. The deal was sponsored by Councilman Michael O'Brien, who traced the concept back to the previous administration of former Mayor Dan Sferra. O'Brien noted the city previously operated its own basement jail that held up to two dozen prisoners, where he worked as one of the first civilian jailers in the 1970s.

  • The new 3-year contract was approved by Warren City Council on March 12, 2026.
  • The contract will span from 2026 through 2028.

The players

Trumbull County

The county that will house Warren's prisoners under the new contract.

Warren City Council

The city council that unanimously approved the new 3-year contract with Trumbull County.

Michael O'Brien

The Warren City Councilman who sponsored the measure and previously worked as a civilian jailer in the city's former basement jail.

Dan Sferra

The former mayor of Warren who sought to "get out of the jail business" according to Councilman O'Brien.

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What they’re saying

“Since then, I think it's been three sheriffs and quite a few mayors, but I think that it's still in the city's best interest to stay out of the jail business for a number of reasons, liability being one. I think this is a fair contract with the county.”

— Michael O'Brien, Councilman, Warren City Council

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow the city to move forward with the new contract.

The takeaway

This contract allows Warren to avoid the costs and liabilities of operating its own city jail, while ensuring priority access to the county jail for its prisoners. It represents a pragmatic solution that has been in the works for several mayoral administrations.