NCJ Number
84750
Date Published
1982
Length
42 pages
Annotation
The dramatic increase in the population of the Lackawanna County Jail (Pa.) appears to be related to higher bail and longer sentences rather than increases in crime, and innovative steps will be required to counter this trend.
Abstract
The Lackawanna County Jail has experienced a 28 percent increase in population over 3 years, and in 1981, the population has jumped from 89 at the beginning of the year to 145 after 6 months. While the total number of offenses reported to the police and the crime rate have risen appreciably in recent years, these increases do not account for the percentage increases in jail population during the same period. The jail population increases appear to be related to higher bail and longer sentences rendered by the courts and the minor judiciary. Jail overcrowding can be countered by reducing reliance on high bail, removing barriers to posting bonds, providing sufficient resources to process criminal cases quickly, developing regualar procedures for pretrial case review, examining the implications of the parole revocation and presentence investigation policies, and relying more heavily on work release and the facilities of the Bureau of Correction. Tabular and graphic data on the Bureau of Correction. Tabular and graphic data on the increase in the jail population and sentences are provided.