Pubdate: Mon, 02 Dec 2002
Source: Athens Banner-Herald (GA)
Copyright: 2002 Athens Newspapers Inc
Contact:  http://www.onlineathens.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1535
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/prison.htm (Incarceration)

KEEP NON-VIOLENT OFFENDERS OUT OF JAIL TO EASE OVERCROWDING

It isn't a sexy issue or one that holds much appeal to voters, but 
maintaining an adequate jail is one of the most pressing issues facing 
Georgia counties. Not only is it a major area of expense for a county, but 
jail conditions can also be a legal liability and public safety matter.

Taxpayers increasingly find themselves footing the bill for inmate lawsuits 
over inhumane jail conditions. Even more troubling, because of a lack of 
jail space, some law enforcement agencies are opting not to arrest people 
for certain crimes.

According to recent news reports detailing the status of jails in the 
Athens area, all five counties adjacent to Clarke County are actively 
pursuing plans for new jails. Clarke County isn't making preparations for a 
jail expansion even though its current facility is 5 percent over capacity.

A jail is under construction in Madison County, and Oconee and Barrow 
counties have already set aside tax revenue for planned jails. Oglethorpe 
County has bought land in Crawford for a jail, and construction could start 
by the beginning of next year. Jackson County's sheriff has implored county 
commissioners for money to build a new jail. These counties are undertaking 
the costly and often politically unpopular expense of jail construction out 
of necessity.

Barrow County has 140 people crammed into a jail built for 90. Oconee 
County lacks detention facilities for female inmates and pays a daily fee 
of $70 per woman to house them elsewhere. Because Oglethorpe County doesn't 
have a working jail, and the sheriff has said the county will pay more than 
half a million dollars this year to house inmates in other counties in 
addition to the extra costs and manpower of hauling inmates to and from court.

In Jackson and Barrow counties, sheriff's deputies don't serve warrants and 
arrest wanted people unless the person is charged with a violent crime or 
is likely to post bond and get out of the jail in a few hours. Jackson 
County has an estimated 1,000 outstanding arrest warrants as a result of 
this policy.

That known criminals are avoiding prosecution simply because a county's 
jail is too overcrowded should be a wake up call to residents and 
officials. First, it raises questions about the policy of detaining people 
who are charged with non-violent crimes. After all, if these individuals 
are already living freely, then it's hard to argue against releasing them 
during and after prosecution. Punishment for non-violent crimes does not 
necessarily have to be meted out behind bars. There are other ways to 
penalize people for misdeeds and provide restitution. In terms of public 
safety and justice, violent criminals are the ones we should focus on 
incarcerating as long as overcrowding is an issue.

Second, perhaps more attention needs to be paid to regional jails and 
detention centers. Just as counties have been able to collaborate on major 
projects such as reservoirs and landfills, so too should they be able to 
pool their resources in creating adequate detention facilities. It seems 
almost all counties are facing the same problems, yet none are looking for 
joint solutions. That creates significant duplication of services and costs 
- -- something taxpayers and officials should be looking to avoid.