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Dallas County Uses ATMs, Credit Cards to Ease Jail Crowding

NCJ Number
141446
Journal
Large Jails Network Bulletin Volume: 1 Issue: 4 Dated: (March 1990) Pages: 9
Author(s)
B Knowles
Date Published
1990
Length
1 page
Annotation
The Dallas County Sheriff's Department provides automatic teller machines (ATM's) in the county jail to make it easier for arrested persons to obtain cash for bonds; the department is also authorized to accept credit card payments for fines.
Abstract
The idea of using ATM's in the jail came about when jail staff recognized that most booking activity occured at night or on weekends when arrestees and their friends and relatives often did not have sufficient cash available. The Sheriff's Department installed ATM's in the jail's booking area and lobby. During fiscal year 1988, approximately 6,300 transactions totaling over $100,000 were made in the booking area. Nearly 6,600 transactions totaling more than $150,000 were made in the jail lobby. In 1987, the State legislature approved the use of credit card payments for fines and higher bonds. The primary advantage of the ATM and credit card system is that arrested persons can process out faster during evenings and weekends. Detaining fewer arrested persons saves jail manpower and reduces the costs of clothing, food, and housing for additional inmates.

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