Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Overcrowding -- and early release

The population of ICJ fluctuates constantly. Newly-arrested inmates add to the population as newly-released ones subtract from it. Some inmates have been sentenced to weekend jail -- a humane attempt to keep people in their jobs. They check in on Friday night and are released Sunday night -- which adds up to 3 days off your sentence as ICJ counts. Some inmates get released on bail only to return later when sentenced.

The limit on the number of inmates seems to be a combination of state law, court decisions, and policy. When the ICJ population exceeds 675 or so, the place is considered overcrowded. When this happens, the jail begins early release of inmates. Those who are within a few days of their scheduled out-date may be released. Jail workers (aka trustees) are at the top of the pecking order for early release.

You'll hear lots of rumors as to whether the jail is overcrowded. Don't believe them. One rumor comes from the kitchen crew, citing how many meals were served that day. This isn't reliable, as the staff get meals, and the ebb and flow of new and released inmates may count more people than will sleep in the jail that night.

One aspect of overcrowding is permanent: the ICJ regularly puts some inmates on the floor, sleeping in the common area or "day room" that's supposed to be more like a living room. This allows ICJ to bed, for instance, 10 people in a dorm intended for 8. The floor isn't so bad, but you will want to snatch the mop when it comes so you can clean around your mattress.

In any event, the ICJ operates a balancing act: because of financial incentives, they want to keep the inmate count at capacity.  But because of circumstances they can't control -- who knows how many people will be arrested tonight -- the jail will sometime go over their limits. When that happens, they have something like 3 days to reduce the inmate count. And when that happens, it may be to your benefit.

Speaking of early release, the jail may let you out just after midnight, or in the wee hours of the morning.  You may have some trouble getting a ride home -- assuming you have a home to go to. See the post on Leaving the jail.

1 comment:

  1. I think the reason jails and prisons give you credit for a full day even if you are released at five minutes after midnight has to do with the way the law treats sentences, and that the sooner you leave the more money they save and the sooner your bed is free for somebody else.

    Counties in Michigan don't get per diem payments for general inmates, so there's no financial incentive to HOLD somebody an extra day.

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