MAHONING COUNTY Lockup limited: It's time to leave

One judge said many people simply don't care about going to court or to jail.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mahoning County officials took a first look Friday at what needs to be done to cut down on the number of people who are locked up in the county jail.
The picture they painted is not pretty.
County commissioners met with a panel of judges, lawyers and other court officials to talk about ways to curb the inmate population. Use of devices such as electronic monitoring bracelets were discussed but were overall deemed unfeasible.
Apathetic attitudes and inability to post bail are among the primary reasons people can't get out of jail, and officials aren't sure how to go about changing those factors.
A money problem
Commissioners say something has to give, because the amount of money required to fund jail operations leaves virtually none for economic development projects, which has the county moving backward.
J. Gerald Ingram, a local defense attorney, said two-thirds of people in jail have not been sentenced, but are awaiting trial. They're stuck in jail because they can't afford to post bail and get out.
He suggested that the county look into a pretrial services system like the one used in federal courts. Defendants are screened and released, if appropriate, and their whereabouts are monitored by court staff.
But Judge Elizabeth Kobly of Youngstown Municipal Court said judges, especially in the city, are often forced to set high bonds to ensure that defendants will appear in court.
She said most of the people in jail are from the city, and they're there because they failed to appear in court when they were ordered to do so.
They don't care
"The biggest problem is nonchalance. Nobody cares about coming to court," Judge Kobly said. "I don't know how we can change that not-caring phenomenon going on out there. It boggles my mind."
They don't care about being put in jail, either, because their food, clothing and medical care are provided for them there.
"They think they're saving money," Judge Kobly said.
Judge Maureen A. Cronin said the problem carries over to common pleas court, where some people see going to jail as a status symbol.
"They're not ashamed," she said. "Everybody comes to court with their babies to see daddy go to jail."
A high recidivism rate also forces judges to set high bonds, Judge Cronin said. Too often, people who are released from jail on a lower bond for one crime commit another crime when they get out. And often, the second crime is more violent than the first, she said.
"The recidivism rate is horrible," she said. "They don't care."
Drastic situation
The problem is compounded by the county's drastic budget situation.
Auditor George Tablack said that even with voter renewal of a 0.5 county sales tax last month, the county faces desperate times when the state passes its budget in July.
The county budget is already struggling because the flagging economy has caused sales tax revenue to flat-line and investment earnings to drop. On top of those things, the state is looking hard at eliminating local government funding to counties and communities next year.
If the bottom falls out of the state funding, the county could be left with a 25 percent budget deficit next year, Tablack said.
He cautioned officials, especially judges, against seeking court orders to force commissioners to appropriate more money to them next year.
"Where is that extra money going to come from? It just doesn't exist," Tablack said.
Despite the bleak picture, Commissioner Ed Reese said the meeting was productive and he anticipates a follow-up meeting in early January.
bjackson@vindy.com