NCJ Number
133656
Date Published
1990
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This paper reviews data from the 1990 jail survey to determine the potential use of jails to house inmates from the State penitentiary, thereby alleviating overcrowding in the State prison and possibly providing increased revenue for local jails through State prison reimbursements.
Abstract
The data examined cover the location of each jail, the current number of permanent beds in the jail, the average daily population, and the greatest number of inmates held in the jail during any single day in calendar year 1989. Of the 49 jails that responded to the survey, 36 had a capacity that exceeds daily use at all times. Each of these jails could be used to house inmates from the State prison if they meet jail standards and have good jail conditions. A computer analysis determined which, if any, of the 36 jails meet or substantially meet current jail standards and are rated as having good or excellent overall jail conditions. Thirteen of the 36 jails meet all the required conditions and thus could be used to house State inmates; however, State law and the standards for confinement of State inmates may restrict any actual use of local jails to house inmates from the State prison. 2 tables