NCJ Number
120676
Journal
American Jails Volume: 3 Issue: 2 Dated: (Summer 1989) Pages: 41-46
Date Published
1989
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article examines the following issues related to jail overcrowding in California: jail population trends, factors affecting jail overcrowding, management of overcrowded jails, and construction of new jails.
Abstract
A review of jail populations in selected county jail systems indicates the seriousness of overcrowding. Factors contributing to jail overcrowding are increased crime levels, mandatory incarceration laws, longer sentences, and delays in litigation. Jail management problems due to overcrowding chiefly relate to housing, visitation, medical services, food services, recreation programs, classification and processing, transportation, staff and inmate security, facility maintenance, inventory storage and control, and inmate governance and disciplinary processes. California has inaugurated a major jail construction program that will provide 14,000 beds, including 3,309 beds to replace substandard housing. A 25-percent increase in jail capacity will be achieved. Increasing capacity alone, however, will not resolve jail overcrowding in the State. A multifaceted program must include expeditious processing of offenders, alternatives to detention, and cooperation between criminal justice agencies. 16 references.