Keep Bailing

Overcrowding leads to early release of inmates and questions from city officials…

It’s argued by some that Sheriff Margaret Mims was in violation of the law when she released 72 inmates from jail early due to overcrowding at a Fresno Jail facility. The city argued that there were enough beds for the inmates.

Sheriff Mims was doing what a Federal decree said she could do: release inmates early when the jail had reached its capacity. However, Fresno County officials disagree and the city has launched a lawsuit. The battle between Mims and the Fresno Police Department is ongoing.

Fresno is not alone in early release. Early release is common across the state of California in order to reduce overcrowding and to save taxpayer money.  A 2006 report entitled Jail Overcrowding: A State and Local Crisis, indicated Sonoma, Riverside, Calavaras, Solana, Merced, Los Angeles Counties had significant overcrowding problems and used programs for early release of convicted felons. Since then, Orange County has followed suit.

The report, posted by the California State Sheriff’s Association states:

This story is repeated in county after county. The jail overcrowding/early release trend must not be allowed to continue. Revolving door justice is making a mockery of the California public safety system.

Unfortunately, the current economic picture has not improved the system and Counties across California. Many have been contemplatingclosing jails. This does not bode well for public safety.