Search results matching tag 'Jails'

Early Release as a Cost Cutting Measure

dfetzer — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 17:16:57 GMT

One cost cutting measure I don’t agree with is the releasing of sentenced inmates early or reducing bail/bond so pre-sentenced inmates can obtain their release easier. I think this becomes the proverbial “slippery slope” because where does it stop. I think that even though jail budgets are tight this should not be one of the methods to reduce cost. If you want to go in this direction then just tell the local law enforcement to not arrest anyone for the types of crimes that you are going to release criminals for early or reduce the bail on. It will save even more time and funds. My answer is that we do review some laws that are expensive and hard to enforce. I would support legalizing the possession of small amounts of all drugs. I think drugs should be regulated and taxed just as alcohol and tobacco. I would still enforce the unauthorized manufacturing of drugs just as we do for alcohol. Drug enforcement would be similar then to what Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) does in those areas. I would also legalize and regulate prostitution. Have them pay licensing fees and require health checks to minimize and decrease transmission of STDs. I would enforce laws against pimping and of course any sex slave activities. All of these measures would reduce jail populations and hence lower cost to the counties. It would also generate monies from collection of fees and taxes. These changes could also reduce or eliminate the money being collected by organized crime and gangs. Illegal growing and importation of drugs, prostitution and gambling provides most of the cash to organized crime and gangs. Also, if the laws governing these enterprises are changed then you could release all inmates who were convicted of these crimes.

Staggering Jail Costs

Sandy Schilling — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:12:00 GMT

An article in Forbes, America's Jail Crisis, uses Harris County Jail statistics and costs to highlight the budget problems facing many of our counties. According to this article, the National Association of Counties is trying to encourage communities to put additional resources into pretrial services in the hope of keeping inmates out of the much more expensive jails.

National Jail Leadership Command Academy

Sandy Schilling — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:55:00 GMT

The American Jail Association (AJA) is accepting applications for the second class of the National Jail Leadership Command Academy (NJLCA). The class is scheduled for October 25-30, 2009 at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. Mid-level managers are the target audience for this class. The curriculum topics include:

Best Practices

Hiring and Keeping the Best

Accountability

The Critical Key to Effective Leadership

Big-Picture Thinking

Organizational Communication

Applied Ethical Leadership

Collaborative Partnerships

Finance and Budget

Essential Leadership Skills/Tools

Dealing with Organizational and Environmental Change

Read more about the NJLCA and watch the informational video.

Jail Healthcare Costs

jlregina — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 21:05:20 GMT

I am a correctional health care professional looking for information about real healthcare costs in jails with ADP 1500-2000 inmates. Why? I consult with a number of facilities regarding healthcare and the question, and in this day of ever increasing costs, I am frequently asked, "What is the average cost of health care in jails?" I know that there are many variables that affect each facility'ss costs--please let me know what you have found that impacts your facility's costs. Please include all healthcare costs for medical, dental, and mental health services, all on- and offisite costs, staffing, pharmaceuticals, equipment and supplies and number of inmate days (if that statistic is kept). If you know your per diem healthcare costs, I would very much appreciate that figure. While there are figures available for state corrections, there is very little available for jails--the last study was in the late 1990's. Thank you!

Big Drop in Minnesota Jail Population

Sandy Schilling — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 15:05:00 GMT

An article in the Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune reports, Some Minnesota Counties Struggle with Empty Beds. Exactly why there has been a recent decline in the number of inmates in Minnesota county jails isn't clear. Lets hope this "problem" of too few inmates spreads across the country and the jail occupancy rates continue to fall.

Inmate Informational Video Prior to Release from Jail

Joel — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 14:53:27 GMT

Good Day All,

Would like to know if any jails are utilizing video to educate / inform soon to be release arrestees / inmates on reentry resources. The idea may look like a repeating video message telling arrestees in a holding cell of who to contact / what to do when released - if in need of critical services ie homeless, addiction treatment, etc.

Thanks,

Overtime

Dave43 — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 01:04:56 GMT

I am looking for information on how departments approve the use of overtime how many people are involved in the approval process.

Thanks !

Dave

NIC and Urban Institute Launch Jail Reentry Initiative

llinke — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:34:00 GMT

NIC has expanded its reentry efforts beyond prisons with a new project to improve the transition of inmates from jails back to local communities. The project is called Transition from Jail to Community - TJC. With project partner the Urban Institute, two test sites have been selected for the project - Douglas County, Kansas and Denver, Colorado. Four addtional sites will be added to the project in the Spring of 2009. Learn more about NIC's two reentry/transition projects and the TJC Initiative with the Urban Institute.

Treatment of Interstate Inmate(s)

marylu37 — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:40:42 GMT

How do you treat an interstate inmate who finishes 5 yrs and 7 months of a six year sentence, but does so on an interstate agreement. He finished early due to good time which is given in NJ. Upon his release PA picks him up via a detainer issued by a CO at a county correctional facility-again, what steps should be taken to help this inmate out? At this point in time, I'd say he's at least eligible for immediate parole and/or an emergent hearing, etc... ?

Two new jail resources

Scott — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:59:00 GMT

Both resources were created jointly by the Urban Institute, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and the Montgomery County, Maryland Department of Correction and Rehabilitation.

Life after Lockup: Improving Reentry from Jail to the Community discusses reentry and transition issues from a jails perspective.

The Jail Administrator's Toolkit for Reentry provides guidance for preparing inmates for their transition from jail to the community.