Sunday, June 03, 2007
REDUCING INMATE POPULATION V. EXPANDING JAIL CAPACITY
According to the Post and Courier, Charleston County has a jail inmate population of 1,710 in a jail with a capacity of 661, Berkeley County has a jail inmate population of 340 in a jail with a capacity of 154, and Dorchester County has a jail inmate population of 250 in a jail with a capacity of 156.
According to the Post and Courier, Charleston County has a jail inmate population of 1,710 in a jail with a capacity of 661, Berkeley County has a jail inmate population of 340 in a jail with a capacity of 154, and Dorchester County has a jail inmate population of 250 in a jail with a capacity of 156.
While Charleston County is proceeding with its $110 Million plans to expand its jail, the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments is conducting a feasibility study into a regional jail. Once again, we question why there is no effort to create or fund programs to lessen the need for jail expansion. We note, "Society has to respond to lawbreakers, but it doesn't always have to lock them up."
