
    
      OPINION ISSUED JULY 19, 2000
    
    ERVIN LEE PHILLIPS VS. REGIONAL JAIL AND CORRECTIONAL ACILITY AUTHORITY
    (CC-00-179)
    Claimant appeared pro se.
    
    Joy M. Cavallo, Assistant Attorney General, for respondent.
   PER CURIAM:

This claim was submitted for decision based upon the allegations in the Notice of Claim and respondent's Answer.

Claimant, an inmate at the Southwestern Regional Jail, in Holden, Logan County, seeks $130.00 for a watch that was entrusted to respondent. When claimant inspected his inventoried and stored personal property items, he discovered that his watch was missing. Thus far, respondent’s employees have been unable to produce claimant’s personal property.

In its Answer, respondent admits the validity of the claim and that the amount is fair and reasonable. The Court is aware that respondent does not have a fiscal method for paying claims of this nature; therefore, the claim has been submitted to this Court for determination.

This Court has taken the position in prior claims that if a bailment situation has been created, respondent is responsible for property of an inmate which is taken from that inmate and is not produced for return to the inmate.

Accordingly, the Court makes an award to the claimant herein in the amount of $130.00.

Award of $130.00.  