"Harris County's burgeoning jail population is expected to swell to 12,600 this spring, prompting newly elected officials to take a fresh look at ways to alleviate overcrowding, including releasing low-risk offenders. ... The new Democratic judges, for example, have indicated they will consider releasing more low-risk offenders on personal bonds. ... Studies have shown that hundreds of homeless people with mental illnesses cycle repeatedly through the jail and emergency psychiatric wards. ... Major Mike Smith, who runs the jails for new Democratic Sherriff Adrian Garcia, said he had been overwhelmed with requests for meetings with judges, prosecutors and other officials who want to discuss ideas for reducing the inmate population. ... The Harris County Jail is certified to hold a maximum of 9,435 inmates. ... Former Sherriff Tommy Thomas postpones plans to build a new 1,100-bed jail in Atascocita amid concerns he would not be able to fully staff the facility", Liz Peterson at the Houston Chronicle, 26 January 2009, link: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6230172.html.
Res ipsa loquitur. Wayne County first, Harris County next. Once we have six more counties with jail waiting lists, we will have our county jail "Ivy League".
1 comment:
We sure got big governments... but we don't have big services...
"...postpones plans to build a new 1,100-bed jail in Atascocita amid concerns he would not be able to fully staff the facility..."
Can't pay new staff... paying the pensions of the old staff... law enforcement largesse...
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