NCJ Number
81790
Date Published
1981
Length
39 pages
Annotation
This 2-year study of the Milwaukee County Women's Jail (Wisconsin) concluded that overcrowding in the jail can and should be eliminated by using alternatives outside the jail.
Abstract
The study focused on women who were waiting in jail for their trials. A total of 110 women were assisted in getting an earlier release, saving an estimated 2,243 pretrial detention days and 323 months of sentence at a cost of over $.5 million. Many women supervised and/or assisted in finding housing, employment, education, and physical and mental health services, which provide alternatives to crime by helping people become productive citizens. Half of the women were helped by making telephone calls for them to their families and friends for bail. The worst gap identified was in the area of mental health services. Tables, graphs, footnotes, and appended study instruments are provided. (Author abstract modified)