TRUMBULL COUNTY Judges discuss how to cut jail count

The group plans to meet again in two weeks.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Electronic house arrest and early release programs are some of the ways area judges and Trumbull County Sheriff's Department officials plan to reduce the number of inmates at the jail.
The Trumbull County Common Pleas judges and area municipal court judges met with Matt Ecker, jail administrator, and Ernest Cook, chief of jail operations, Friday to discuss jail overcrowding.
"We need to do something and everyone understands that," Cook said. "It was a very positive, productive meeting."
The group plans to meet again in two weeks, Cook said.
"I'm going to get some numbers together on the costs of starting an electronic monitoring program," Cook said.
He noted that the sheriff's department would operate the program.
The judges also said they would consider releasing inmates early who were nonviolent and caused no problems while at the jail.
"I've already been reviewing the prisoners I sent to the jail, and I believe there are roughly 10 that may be eligible for early release," said Judge Tom Campbell of Trumbull County Central District Court.
What's being done
The jail is designed to hold about 280 inmates but is now housing around 380, Cook said.
If a cell is not available, inmates are grouped into a pod and given cots.
A few inmates, who called The Vindicator last month to complaining about conditions, said the jail ran out of cots and some inmates were sleeping on thin mattresses placed on the floor.
In January 2003, the Trumbull County grand jury toured the facility as part of its duty and noted concerns about overcrowding.
The grand jury noted at that time the facility was housing 310 prisoners.
Cook said that he wishes overcrowding is something he could control.
The 6-year-old Trumbull County Jail occasionally has to turn away prisoners arrested on misdemeanor charges. It is not unusual to have 330 prisoners booked into the facility, and the inmate count occasionally tops 350, Cook said.
Trumbull and Mahoning County officials have discussed creating a regional jail, but no action has been taken.
sinkovich@vindy.com