WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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The Indiana Sheriff’s Association proposed a tax rate increase to ease overcrowding of low-level felons in County Jails, last week.
The rate is currently at thirty-five dollars per day for a low level felons and the proposed twenty dollar increase would aid in solving overcrowded jails, says Hendricks County Sheriff, Brett Clark.
According to the Terre Haute Tribune Star, the Sheriff brought the tax increase to state legislators during a summer study committee last week. Sheriff Clark cited that the rate had not been changed in over 30 years and it is well below the federal rate of fifty-five dollars per day per felon.
2016 Indiana Law requires that convicted non-violent felons must serve their sentences in county jails rather than state prisons. The law caused overcrowding at many county jails across the state of Indiana. This overcrowding comes from housing both convicted felons and those jailed awaiting trial at the county jails.
Another solution to overcrowding at Indiana county jails is currently being piloted in Monroe County. According to County Sheriff, Brad Swain, altering bail postings will decrease the incarcerated population.
“Monroe County is one of the pilot counties for bail review, in which it is the opinion of higher courts that if a person is likely to return to court then why are we posting a bail if there’s is some evidence that is there which would show that that person would show up for court.”
This ‘bail review’ would dismiss the need for a bail and allow charged persons to not take up space in the county jail. Sheriff Swain suggests that the evidence necessary would include- local residence in proximity to the courthouse or little prior record.
