GOSHEN – In the wake of Dutchess County Executive William Steinhaus’ refusal to approve $795,000 to pay for the housing of inmates in other county jails, Orange County Sheriff Carl DuBois said his county may take a second look at their arrangement with Dutchess.

Orange and Ulster counties are among those being paid to house the overflow of Dutchess inmates since the county has surpassed its inmate capacity limits as set by the state.

DuBois said the issue of housing Dutchess inmates in the future will have to be discussed among the highest level of county officials.

“That’s going to be a decision between myself, the county executive and probably the county attorney,” said. “Is it going to be worth any kind of litigation to recoup that money? Probably not. It hasn’t been discussed yet. We are all aware of it, but we’ll see how it plays out before the first of the year. Speaking practically, if the money is not there, I don’t know why we would take those prisoners.”

Steinhaus wants Dutchess Sheriff Adrian Anderson and the County Legislature to seek state OK for double bunking of inmates and secure a waiver once again to house additional inmates.

Dutchess officials have been reluctant to build an addition on the current jail because of costs.