Tuesday, March 01, 2011
JILL CADMAN SAYS NEW SOLUTIONS ARE NEEDED FOR CHILD SUPPORT ARREARAGE PROBLEM
Why is it we spend so much money incarcerating people for child support violations and non-violent crimes, probation issues and non- payment of fines in this economy?
The child support issue is handled in a way that only makes it worse by suspending the drivers license of the parent who cannot or will not pay, in most cases causing them the impossibility to comply most likely losing their job or leaving them disabled to find one.
It seems to me there are many much more sensible ways to deal with this problem, i.e. give them a job, a work camp, training, all of these type solutions could add value to the community and not overcrowd jails and cost taxpayers money with no return on the investment. Come on, think about some solutions to this growing problem.
All the money spent on fines, probation where is it going? This looks like a big money-making scam at best.
JILL CADMAN
Guyton
Labels: Child Support Collection, Jail Overcrowding
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
ELEVEN INMATES SUE OVER JAIL CONDITIONS IN ORANGEBURG COUNTY SC
According to "11 inmates sue over jail conditions," "Eleven inmates have filed lawsuits against the Orangeburg-Calhoun Regional Detention Center in U.S. District Court over living conditions. Inmates claim they’ve suffered malfunctioning toilets and showers, don’t receive prescription medication in a timely manner and have no emergency call system in their cells, among other things." The article goes on to say:
The way that things are headed, South Carolina could lock up half its population and still not reduce its child support arrearage. Maybe it is time to rethink the way the State is doing things and to revisit the question "Who is Benefiting from the Incarceration of 'Deadbeats'?"Last July, the Regional Detention Center was cited for housing sentenced and pre-trial inmates together. Other violations cited were the lack of two-way emergency intercom systems in individual cells and failure to give inmates required outdoor exercise time due to staffing shortages.The state fire marshal’s office also cited the detention center for potential fire hazard violations, including the storage of combustible materials in rooms with electrical equipment. S.C. Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation spokesman Jim Knight said Monday the fire marshal’s office is scheduled to re-inspect the facility.Many of the inmates who sued in federal court are being held for non-payment of child support.Child support inmates usually make up half or more of the total population, which averages about 400 inmates.One complains he is in jail for child support, “and they got me lock down like a hard criminal for 18 hours a day. Do you think that’s fair to a person that don’t have no charge just in here for child support? Can’t go out to work because the jail charge you $5 dollars a day when you go out if you go out. Child support still running when you in jail it never stops ...
Labels: "Deadbeat Dads", Child Support Collection, Civil Contempt, Jail Overcrowding, Lawsuits
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
"STOP PUNISHING TAXPAYERS FOR CRIMINALS' ACTIONS"
We think "Stop punishing taxpayers for criminals' actions" sums it up pretty well. Unfortunately, we doubt that the South Carolina Legislature will ever make the recommended changes to the State prison system. There appear to be too many Law and Order panderers in the General Assembly who fail to see the big picture for real reform to occur. They are focused more on getting re-elected than on solving problems. They do not appear to understand that they are spending the State into poverty by jailing people who do not belong in jail.
We think "Stop punishing taxpayers for criminals' actions" sums it up pretty well. Unfortunately, we doubt that the South Carolina Legislature will ever make the recommended changes to the State prison system. There appear to be too many Law and Order panderers in the General Assembly who fail to see the big picture for real reform to occur. They are focused more on getting re-elected than on solving problems. They do not appear to understand that they are spending the State into poverty by jailing people who do not belong in jail.
We would like to be more hopeful on this topic. However, rather than creative problem solving, we anticipate the enactment of more Law and Order Legislation "designed to take criminals off the streets" and "stop the moral decay in America."
We are about to give up--throw in the towel. So we are hereby suggesting some new legislation to prevent more killings and violence. As The New York Times revealed, recent events in the Philippines clearly establish the need to outlaw the deadly combination of Karaoke and Sinatra before the epidemic of violence spreads to the United States.
Labels: Jail Overcrowding, Judicial Reform, Silly Laws
Friday, January 29, 2010
THE GOVERNATOR WANTS TO SEND CALIFORNIA INMATES TO MEXICO
Facing record deficits, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger wants to build prisons in Mexico so that he can send all the illegal Mexican immigrants currently serving time in California prisons back to Mexico. According to Yahoo News, the Governator claims that enacting his proposal will save California $1 Billion per year in prison costs. Whether Governor Schwarzenegger's cost-saving estimates are accurate may be debatable. However, the fact that California is even discussing this idea as a means of reducing prison overcrowding and the tax burden on California residents suggests that there is an increasing national awareness that "lock 'em up and throw away the key" is an economically unsustainable solution to crime.
Those who are interested in reading the entire Yahoo News article should click here.
Labels: Jail Overcrowding
Thursday, January 21, 2010
SOUTH CAROLINA MAY MAKE SOME REASONABLE COST- SAVING PRISON REFORMS
Although Laura Hudson, Executive Director of the South Carolina Victim's Council objects, it appears that South Carolina may decide to follow the example of Michigan rather than follow the example of Florida.
According to "Legislative report to call for changes":
A legislative committee will release a report by Feb. 1 that will call for changes in the punishments for dozens of crimes and will suggest using more alternative sentences for non-violent criminals.
The state's overcrowded prisons are a driving force behind the report, which is the result of more than a year of study by the S.C. Sentencing Reform Commission.
"I wouldn't say it's the number one reason, but it's an issue," said Sen. Gerald Malloy, D-Darlington, the commission chairman. "In order to continue on the path we're headed, we're going to have to build more prisons, and we don't have the funds to do that."
The commission hopes its recommendations ensure public safety by sending high-risk, violent offenders to jail for longer terms, Malloy said. At the same time, the state will need to reduce the prison time for other crimes.
The commission also will recommend that the state beef up its Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services to better supervise criminals once they are released from prison.
The commission will present draft legislation based on the report, Malloy said. The challenge will be finding money in a strapped state budget to implement some of the recommendations.
"The real answer to this is to build a new prison," said Laura Hudson, S.C. Crime Victims Council executive director.
Now, if the counties can just figure out which of those who are behind on their child support payments really deserve to be incarcerated for willful contempt. If they do that, maybe they will not have to either continue to increase the size of county jails or build new jails. Or, they will at least be able to determine whether the tax payers are benefiting from the incarceration of "Deadbeats."
Labels: "Deadbeat Dads", Civil Contempt, Jail Overcrowding, Judicial Reform
Friday, January 08, 2010
SC MAN SENTENCED TO TO TEN YEARS FOR STEALING MEAT
According to "SC man sentenced to 10 years for stealing meat":
A South Carolina man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for stealing an $80 slab of meat.The Times and Democrat of Orangeburg reports Thursday that 51-year-old Mark Zachary of Orangeburg received the maximum sentence after jurors found him guilty Wednesday of shoplifting.
Prosecutors said the sentence was justified because the Aug. 26 theft from Reid's grocery store in Orangeburg was his ninth offense.
Authorities said when a store manager approached Zachary about the missing New York strip and the big bulk under his shirt, he fled, right into the arms of an off-duty police officer.Assistant Solicitor Glenn Justis asked jurors "Where's the beef?" in his opening argument.Zachary testified he was "massaging" the meat, not stealing it.
Not everyone is pleased with this result. In an on-line post Paul K. Fauteck, Psy. D., DABPS writes:
So in their wisdom, the people of South Carolina will keep Mark Zachary in prison for ten years for stealing an $80 slab of meat. Understandably, the people are annoyed because this is his ninth offense. So the people are going to spend approximately $240,000 to protect themselves against one meat thief??? Well, the people of South Carolina are sure tough on crime, aren't they? Maybe the good people of South Carolina should reconsider their priorities.
We have to say we agree with Dr. Fauteck. This kind of thinking is going to result in the early release of folks who should serve their entire sentences. It is also one of the reasons that the South Carolina prison system keeps exceeding its budget.
Labels: Jail Overcrowding
Monday, January 04, 2010
SPENDING OURSELVES INTO POVERTY BY JAILING PEOPLE WHO DON'T BELONG THERE
The New York Times article, "Prisons and Budgets" raises some interesting issues:
The last sentence reminds us of what we have been saying and bears repeating: "in the current hard economic times, strapped states are beginning to realize that they do not have the money to keep people in prison who do not need to be there." So the question is whether states want to be like Michigan with its innovative cost-saving approach or be like Florida with its budget-busting mandate that all prisoners serve a high percentage of their sentences.The United States, which has less than 5 percent of the world’s population, has about one-quarter of its prisoners. But the relentless rise in the nation’s prison population has suddenly slowed as many states discover that it is simply too expensive to over incarcerate.
Between 1987 and 2007 the prison population nearly tripled, from 585,000 to almost 1.6 million. Much of that increase occurred in states — many with falling crime rates — that had adopted overly harsh punishment policies, such as the “three strikes and you’re out” rule and drug laws requiring that nonviolent drug offenders be locked away.
These policies have been hugely costly. According to the Pew Center on the States, state spending from general funds on corrections increased from $10.6 billion in 1987 to more than $44 billion in 2007, a 127 percent increase in inflation-adjusted dollars. In the same period, adjusted spending on higher education increased only 21 percent.
In 2008, the explosion of the prison population ground to a near halt, according to data released last month by the Bureau of Justice Statistics. About 739,000 inmates were admitted to federal and state facilities, only about 3,500 more than were released.
One factor seems to be tight budgets as states decide to release nonviolent offenders early. This can not only save money. If done correctly, it can also be very sound social policy. Many nonviolent offenders can be dealt with more effectively and more cheaply through treatment and jobs programs.
Michigan, which has been hard hit by the recession, has done a particularly good job of releasing people who do not need to be in prison. As the American Civil Liberties Union’s National Prison Project details in a new report, Michigan reduced its prison population by about 8 percent between March 2007 and November 2009 by taking smart steps, notably doing more to get nonviolent drug offenders out, while helping in their transition to a productive, and crime-free, life.
Not every state has gotten the message. Florida, for example, has a state law mandating that all prisoners serve a high percentage of their sentence, which is both dubious corrections policy and terrible fiscal policy.
For many years, driving up prison populations has been an easy thing for elected officials to do, popular with voters and powerful corrections officer unions. The new incarceration figures suggest, however, that in the current hard economic times, strapped states are beginning to realize that they do not have the money to keep people in prison who do not need to be there.
Labels: Jail Overcrowding, Judicial Reform, Silly Laws
Friday, July 10, 2009
BETTER USE OF LIMITED RESOURCES
According to the article “Serial killer shot to death in N.C.," "Look at this," [State Law Enforcement Division Director Reggie] Lloyd said, waving a stapled copy of [serial killer] Burris' criminal record. "This is like 25 pages. At some point the criminal justice system is going to need to explain why this suspect was out on the street."
According to the article “Serial killer shot to death in N.C.," "Look at this," [State Law Enforcement Division Director Reggie] Lloyd said, waving a stapled copy of [serial killer] Burris' criminal record. "This is like 25 pages. At some point the criminal justice system is going to need to explain why this suspect was out on the street."
We don't think we have to wait for an explanation. We spend so much money incarcerating minor offenders, that we lack the resources to incarcerate all the folks who need to be incarcerated.
Labels: Jail Overcrowding
Friday, May 15, 2009
CHARLESTON COUNTY PLANS TO INCUR FURTHER DEBT TO HOUSE "DEADBEATS"
The Charleston Post and Courier reported today that Charleston County is ready to borrow $60M "to help finance the county's new prison and dispatching center, which could result in a small property tax increase." Once again, we suggest that there may be a better way.
Labels: "Deadbeat Dads", Government Reform, Jail Overcrowding
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
JAIL OVERCROWDING AND BUDGET SHORTFALLS
In today's issue of the Charleston Post and Courier, an article notes "And there's a heated discussion going on about whether to delay the opening of the county's new $101 million jail by several months to delay hiring guards" which would save the County $2 Million. Our views on this topic were expressed here and here. It gives us no pleasure to write that nothing much seems to have been done to address this problem in the two years subsequent to our posts. Surely, some government entities are making a profit on the expensive practice of jailing people for petty offenses. So the question needs to be asked again, WHO IS BENEFITING FROM THE INCARCERATION OF "DEADBEATS?"
Labels: Jail Overcrowding
Saturday, April 18, 2009
A.C.L.U. CRITICIZES BRUTAL AND OVERCROWDED CALIFORNIA JAIL
According to A.C.L.U. Criticizes Jail:
The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California is calling for the closing of the Los Angeles County Men’s Central Jail, saying it is so overcrowded and brutal that it threatens the mental health of inmates. The conditions are “medieval and drive men mad,” Melinda Bird, a senior counsel for the group, said at a news conference on Tuesday. Mary Tiedeman, the group’s jail project coordinator, said she routinely saw inmates with “black eyes and bruised bodies” who contend that other prisoners or guards beat them. Steve Whitmore, a spokesman for Sheriff Lee Baca, said that any accusations of violence by guards were reviewed by the county’s Office of Independent Review.
We wonder how many of the Los Angeles County inmates are incarcerated for failure to pay debts. And we wonder how the living and safety conditions in Los Angeles County Men's Central Jail compare to the living and safety conditions in Berkeley County South Carolina where an inmate was recently beaten to death by a fellow inmate. And we wonder if the Los Angeles County Men's Central Jail is as crowded as the Charleston County South Carolina Jail. And we wonder whether the Los Angeles County Men’s Central Jail is either profiting from inmate labor or using more inmate slave labor than is being used by either the State of Ohio or by Berkeley County South Carolina. And we wonder if the Los Angeles County Sheriff's wallet is getting fat as inmates are growing thinner.
At the end of the day, there is little or no oversight over how these jails are run, so it is no wonder that they are often used as cash cows and free labor pools. Slavery is alive and well in America--especially, it appears, in South Carolina.
Labels: A. C. L. U., Child Support Collection, Civil Contempt, Inmate Labor, Jail Overcrowding, User Fees/Hidden Taxes
Friday, April 04, 2008
STATES MAY FREE INMATES TO SAVE MONEY
According to States May Free Inmates to Save Millions:
Officials acknowledge that the idea carries risks, but they say they have no choice because of huge budget gaps brought on by the slumping economy.
''If we don't find a way to better manage the population at the state prison, we will be forced to spend money to expand the state's prison system -- money we don't have,'' said Jeff Neal, a spokesman for Rhode Island Gov. Don Carcieri.
At least eight states are considering freeing inmates or sending some convicts to rehabilitation programs instead of prison, according to an Associated Press analysis of legislative proposals. If adopted, the early release programs could save an estimated $450 million in California and Kentucky alone.
A Rhode Island proposal would allow inmates to deduct up to 12 days from their sentence for every month they follow rules and work in prison. Even some violent offenders would be eligible but not those serving life sentences.
A plan in Mississippi would offer early parole for people convicted of selling marijuana or prescription drugs. New Jersey, South Carolina and Vermont are considering funneling drug-addicted offenders into treatment, which is cheaper than prison.
The prospect of financial savings offers little comfort to Tori-Lynn Heaton, a police officer in a suburb of Providence whose ex-husband went to prison for beating her. He has already finished his prison term, but would have been eligible for early release under the current proposal.
''You're talking about victim safety. You're talking about community member safety,'' she said. ''You can't balance the budget on the backs of victims of crimes.''
But prisons ''are one of the most expensive parts of the criminal-justice system,'' said Alison Lawrence, who studies corrections policy for the National Conference of State Legislatures. ''That's where they look to first to cut down some of those costs.''
Rhode Island Corrections Director A.T. Wall was not sure how many prisoners could be freed early. The payoff for doing so may be relatively small: less than $1 million for the first fiscal year, although that figure would increase over time.
In California, where lawmakers have taken steps to cut a $16 billion budget deficit in half by summer, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger proposed saving $400 million by releasing more than 22,000 inmates who had less than 20 months remaining on their sentences. Violent and sex offenders would not be eligible.
Laying off prison guards and making it more difficult to send parole violators back to state prison would account for part of the savings.
Law enforcement officials and Republican lawmakers immediately criticized Schwarzenegger's proposal, which would apply to car thieves, forgers, drunken drivers and some drug dealers. Some would never serve prison time because the standard sentence for those crimes is 20 months or less.
''To open the prison door and release prisoners back into communities is merely placing a state burden onto local governments and will ultimately jeopardize safety in communities,'' said Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer, who could see 1,800 inmates released in his area.
In Kentucky, which faces a $1.3 billion deficit, lawmakers approved legislation Wednesday to grant early release to some prisoners. Initial estimates were that the plan could affect as many as 2,000 inmates and save nearly $50 million.
If the governor signs the bill, the exact number of prisoners would be determined by prison officials. Violent convicts and sexual offenders would be exempt.
Gov. Steve Beshear has said Kentucky must review its policies after the state's inmate population jumped 12 percent last year -- the largest increase in the nation.
Kentucky spends more than $18,600 to house one inmate for a year, or roughly $51 a day. In California, each inmate costs an average of $46,104 to incarcerate.
The prison budget in Mississippi has nearly tripled since stricter sentencing laws took effect in 1994.
To curb spending, lawmakers have offered a bill to make about 7,000 drug offenders in prison eligible for parole. A second proposal would allow the parole board to release inmates convicted of selling marijuana and prescription drugs after serving just a quarter of their sentences. Currently, they must serve 85 percent of their terms before release.
Michigan is trying to speed up the parole process for about 3,500 inmates who were convicted of nonviolent, nonsexual offenses, or who are seriously ill.
Barbara Sampson, chairwoman of the Michigan Parole Board, said early release often makes sense, especially for low-risk offenders who get help rebuilding their lives.
''Getting that prisoner back to the community so that he can stay connected to his family, getting him back into the work force ... that's a positive thing,'' she said.
But not everyone is sold on the idea.
''Economics cannot be the engine that drives the train of public safety,'' said Terrence Jungel, executive director of the Michigan Sheriffs' Association. ''Government has no greater responsibility than the protection of its citizens.''
According to States May Free Inmates to Save Millions:
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- Lawmakers from California to Kentucky are trying to save money with a drastic and potentially dangerous budget-cutting proposal: releasing tens of thousands of convicts from prison, including drug addicts, thieves and even violent criminals.
Officials acknowledge that the idea carries risks, but they say they have no choice because of huge budget gaps brought on by the slumping economy.
''If we don't find a way to better manage the population at the state prison, we will be forced to spend money to expand the state's prison system -- money we don't have,'' said Jeff Neal, a spokesman for Rhode Island Gov. Don Carcieri.
At least eight states are considering freeing inmates or sending some convicts to rehabilitation programs instead of prison, according to an Associated Press analysis of legislative proposals. If adopted, the early release programs could save an estimated $450 million in California and Kentucky alone.
A Rhode Island proposal would allow inmates to deduct up to 12 days from their sentence for every month they follow rules and work in prison. Even some violent offenders would be eligible but not those serving life sentences.
A plan in Mississippi would offer early parole for people convicted of selling marijuana or prescription drugs. New Jersey, South Carolina and Vermont are considering funneling drug-addicted offenders into treatment, which is cheaper than prison.
The prospect of financial savings offers little comfort to Tori-Lynn Heaton, a police officer in a suburb of Providence whose ex-husband went to prison for beating her. He has already finished his prison term, but would have been eligible for early release under the current proposal.
''You're talking about victim safety. You're talking about community member safety,'' she said. ''You can't balance the budget on the backs of victims of crimes.''
But prisons ''are one of the most expensive parts of the criminal-justice system,'' said Alison Lawrence, who studies corrections policy for the National Conference of State Legislatures. ''That's where they look to first to cut down some of those costs.''
Rhode Island Corrections Director A.T. Wall was not sure how many prisoners could be freed early. The payoff for doing so may be relatively small: less than $1 million for the first fiscal year, although that figure would increase over time.
In California, where lawmakers have taken steps to cut a $16 billion budget deficit in half by summer, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger proposed saving $400 million by releasing more than 22,000 inmates who had less than 20 months remaining on their sentences. Violent and sex offenders would not be eligible.
Laying off prison guards and making it more difficult to send parole violators back to state prison would account for part of the savings.
Law enforcement officials and Republican lawmakers immediately criticized Schwarzenegger's proposal, which would apply to car thieves, forgers, drunken drivers and some drug dealers. Some would never serve prison time because the standard sentence for those crimes is 20 months or less.
''To open the prison door and release prisoners back into communities is merely placing a state burden onto local governments and will ultimately jeopardize safety in communities,'' said Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer, who could see 1,800 inmates released in his area.
In Kentucky, which faces a $1.3 billion deficit, lawmakers approved legislation Wednesday to grant early release to some prisoners. Initial estimates were that the plan could affect as many as 2,000 inmates and save nearly $50 million.
If the governor signs the bill, the exact number of prisoners would be determined by prison officials. Violent convicts and sexual offenders would be exempt.
Gov. Steve Beshear has said Kentucky must review its policies after the state's inmate population jumped 12 percent last year -- the largest increase in the nation.
Kentucky spends more than $18,600 to house one inmate for a year, or roughly $51 a day. In California, each inmate costs an average of $46,104 to incarcerate.
The prison budget in Mississippi has nearly tripled since stricter sentencing laws took effect in 1994.
To curb spending, lawmakers have offered a bill to make about 7,000 drug offenders in prison eligible for parole. A second proposal would allow the parole board to release inmates convicted of selling marijuana and prescription drugs after serving just a quarter of their sentences. Currently, they must serve 85 percent of their terms before release.
Michigan is trying to speed up the parole process for about 3,500 inmates who were convicted of nonviolent, nonsexual offenses, or who are seriously ill.
Barbara Sampson, chairwoman of the Michigan Parole Board, said early release often makes sense, especially for low-risk offenders who get help rebuilding their lives.
''Getting that prisoner back to the community so that he can stay connected to his family, getting him back into the work force ... that's a positive thing,'' she said.
But not everyone is sold on the idea.
''Economics cannot be the engine that drives the train of public safety,'' said Terrence Jungel, executive director of the Michigan Sheriffs' Association. ''Government has no greater responsibility than the protection of its citizens.''
Labels: Jail Overcrowding
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
COPING WITH JAIL OVERCROWDING IN CHARLESTON SC
In Trying to cope with jail overcrowding Charleston Watch filed the report pasted hereinbelow on the May 15, 2007 Charleston County Council meeting. We have said it before and we will say it again--one reason that our jails are so overcrowded is that we spend so much of our limited resources building jails and incarcerating people who get behind on their child support rather than trying to develop programs to either help them avoid being jailed for non-support or to get out of jail once they have been incarcerated for non-support. While it may appeal to some folks' sense of moral outrage to punish those who are in arrears on their child support, this approach does not appear to be cost-effective. And we are having to release convicts before their sentences have been completed because so many of the jail cells are occupied by fathers who fall behind on their support.
In Trying to cope with jail overcrowding Charleston Watch filed the report pasted hereinbelow on the May 15, 2007 Charleston County Council meeting. We have said it before and we will say it again--one reason that our jails are so overcrowded is that we spend so much of our limited resources building jails and incarcerating people who get behind on their child support rather than trying to develop programs to either help them avoid being jailed for non-support or to get out of jail once they have been incarcerated for non-support. While it may appeal to some folks' sense of moral outrage to punish those who are in arrears on their child support, this approach does not appear to be cost-effective. And we are having to release convicts before their sentences have been completed because so many of the jail cells are occupied by fathers who fall behind on their support.
While on the subject of innovative programs to relieve jail overcrowding, we would like to call our readers' attention to this article.
________________________________________________________
Some of the Council members expressed surprise at the $4.5 million request to fund housing for the overflow from the County’s crowded jail. They were also surprised at the magnitude of the spending – to provide two 64 bed units - and wondered whether it really was necessary. Council member Thurmond had never heard of the need and was alarmed at a cost that seemed to be 50% above estimates.
In summary there seemed to be two issues. The first was whether the temporary housing was really necessary and second, whether it could be achieved at a lesser cost. Council member Thurmond thought that some help from the court benches in terms of sentencing could alleviate the problem of overcrowding. He also suggested that the County end its policy of taking criminals prosecuted in Federal Courts. Council member Condon also thought there were more “soft” options. Council member Thurmond suggested that the contract be again put out to bidding. Only one bidder was in the final line-up when the contract was awarded.
Most of the other Council members aired their views and all were in favor of proceeding though with varying degrees of enthusiasm. But perhaps the strongest comment came from County Administrator Canterbury who exclaimed the urgency of the situation. As Council member McKeown pointed out earlier, the capacity of the jail is about 660 persons but is now housing about 1700. This is severe overcrowding and did not take into account a possible need to house even a higher number in the near future. The Administrator noted that some of the suggestions made by Council members had been made in the past and they were uncertain and temporary solutions. The County was in a liability situation, and it had to move now.
Mr. Canterbury did not note the potential liabilities relating to the overcrowding. We understand that the County is at risk from both State and Federal authorities. The reluctance of the State to prosecute may reflect the fact that if it did, it would have to house many of the inmates now in the County jail and it does not have capacity to do so, The Federal Authorities may be in a similar position. But we understand that if the County runs foul of the Federal Authorities, the initiative to build a new jail with pass to the Federal Government and the County may have little say as to the location and size. It will also be obliged to pick of the cost which is likely to be well above that projected for the new jail now under consideration. So as Mr. Canterbury didn’t say, the liability is very real.
And as far as the cost, Mr.Canterbury said the $4.5 million is above the $3 million previously assumed. The cost was originally estimated to be higher but was revised downward to $3 million, though we did not hear when this revision was made. He noted that the figures were an estimate. Staff said that a number of firms had been invited to bid on the project. But only two made bids. One was disqualified ultimately because it failed to provide certain completed forms. Why there were so few bids is conjectural. Staff opined that there was enough time allowed in the bidding process. To reopen the bidding would add about 2 months to the timetable. And as this time the County could ill afford such an extension.
Labels: Jail Overcrowding
Thursday, May 03, 2007
SOLVING JAIL OVERCROWDING AND BUDGET PROBLEMS
An article in yesterday's issue of the Post and Courier discusses Charleston County's solution for the burgeoning inmate population. In a nutshell, the Charleston County Council plans to spend hundreds of million of dollars to expand the facilities.
In a similar vein, an article in the April 29, 2007 edition of the New York Times discusses some California programs that allow "offenders whose crimes are usually relatively minor...and whose bank accounts remain lofty...pay-to-stay upgrades" where they are isolated from the general inmate population and allowed more privileges. They are provided with "a clean, quiet, if not exactly recherché alternative to the standard county jails, where the walls are bars, the fellow inmates are hardened and privileges are few."
Although critics of these pay-to-upgrade prison facilities claim that they are inherently unfair, the cities that utilize them counter by saying that "the paying inmates generate cash, often hundreds of thousands of dollars a year-enabling them to better afford their other taxpayer-financed operations."
In our opinion, the solution to California's problem is identical to the solution to Charleston County's problem. They should quit building so many jails which have to be stocked with groceries and for which guards have to be hired and and so on and so on. Instead, they should spend some of their time, money, and creative energy teaching young men how to avoid unwanted pregnancies and how to provide for their offspring. We should fine and/or assign public service to people who commit silly/petty offenses rather than incarcerating them. We should reserve our jail cells for the really bad people who need to be segregated from the rest of us and punished. Otherwise, we will eventually run out of money for other things.
An article in yesterday's issue of the Post and Courier discusses Charleston County's solution for the burgeoning inmate population. In a nutshell, the Charleston County Council plans to spend hundreds of million of dollars to expand the facilities.
In a similar vein, an article in the April 29, 2007 edition of the New York Times discusses some California programs that allow "offenders whose crimes are usually relatively minor...and whose bank accounts remain lofty...pay-to-stay upgrades" where they are isolated from the general inmate population and allowed more privileges. They are provided with "a clean, quiet, if not exactly recherché alternative to the standard county jails, where the walls are bars, the fellow inmates are hardened and privileges are few."
Although critics of these pay-to-upgrade prison facilities claim that they are inherently unfair, the cities that utilize them counter by saying that "the paying inmates generate cash, often hundreds of thousands of dollars a year-enabling them to better afford their other taxpayer-financed operations."
In our opinion, the solution to California's problem is identical to the solution to Charleston County's problem. They should quit building so many jails which have to be stocked with groceries and for which guards have to be hired and and so on and so on. Instead, they should spend some of their time, money, and creative energy teaching young men how to avoid unwanted pregnancies and how to provide for their offspring. We should fine and/or assign public service to people who commit silly/petty offenses rather than incarcerating them. We should reserve our jail cells for the really bad people who need to be segregated from the rest of us and punished. Otherwise, we will eventually run out of money for other things.
Labels: Jail Overcrowding
