NCJ Number
143613
Date Published
1988
Length
47 pages
Annotation
The Pierce County (Washington) Jail Population Management Task Force convened to deal with overcrowding problems in the county detention and corrections center, where the population of over 700 exceeded the jail's rated capacity of 506.
Abstract
Immediate interim measures adopted by the task force included weekend personal recognizance (PR) reviews by District and Municipal Court judges, increased jail staff authority in PR releases, reduced processing time of felony sentencing certification, expanded use of the police cite-and- release option, a reduced arrest acceptance policy for misdemeanor offenders, a reduced number of presentence reports, jail staff authority to release on good behavior, and rental of additional jail space. In the course of its work, the task force recommended 32 ways to accomplish the goals of dealing with overcrowding and improving corrections services. The four top priority recommendations included involving the county in a concerted effort to influence State officials to recognize State responsibility toward local jails; obtaining additional permanent jail space in one or more facilities in the county; increasing the efficiency of case processing by the criminal justice system through improving the corrections automated information system; and establishing a community service and accountability program for qualified inmates.