Looking to cut jail population

Commissioners want to talk about alternatives to jail time to reduce costs.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The price of public safety has risen too high to suit commissioners in Mahoning County.
They've called a summit meeting with officials from the criminal justice community to look for ways to reduce the inmate population at the county jail.
Commissioners are concerned about a steady rise in the number of inmates locked up in the jail over the past two years. Since 2000, the average daily population has grown from about 425 to about 550.
County Administrator Gary Kubic said it costs the county about $85 per day to house an inmate.
The rising number of inmates has forced the county to increase the amount of money allocated each year to the sheriff's department, which operates the jail.
The total appropriation for the sheriff has increased from $12.4 million in 2000 to $16 million this year. The cost of jail medical services has risen $500,000 and the cost of providing defense lawyers for indigent defendants has risen $412,000.
With so much money going to the criminal justice system, there is no money left for economic development projects.
"It just can't keep going this way," Kubic said. "We have to make some changes."
Financial trouble
He said the county is facing difficult financial challenges next year because of the stagnant economic climate.
Revenue from a county sales tax, which is the main source of revenue for the general fund, has flat-lined, Kubic said. The rule of thumb under normal conditions is to expect about 3 percent growth each year, he said.
Interest earnings from investments has dropped by some $3 million and the county is faced with the loss of up to $6 million a year in local government funds.
Commissioners have told all county departments to prepare to live next year with budget allocations comparable to what they had in 2000. That could result in layoffs, said Commissioner Vicki Allen Sherlock.
"The key here is to make sure we tighten our belts and make sure we don't overspend," Sherlock said. "We'll have to make some tough decisions."
Commissioners have asked local judges, Prosecutor Paul Gains, Sheriff Randall Wellington and others who work with the criminal justice system to meet Dec. 4 in the commissioners' conference room.
Kubic said they'll talk about ways to reduce the inmate population, which would in turn reduce the amount of money needed to fund the operation.
Seeking alternatives
According to figures provided by commissioners, nearly 70 percent of inmates at the jail are being held pending court appearances or sentencing.
Commissioner Ed Reese said some of those being held for low-level, nonviolent offenses could be placed on some sort of alternative restriction, such as house arrest.
He cited the case of a woman arrested recently on a charge of soliciting prostitution in Youngstown. She was kept in jail three weeks because she could not afford to pay a $150 bond to get out.
"We had to pay to keep her there," Reese said. "That's ridiculous."
Judges determine who goes to jail and set bonds for people who are held there, which is why commissioners want them to attend the meeting.