Judge: We must prioritize inmates Grand jury's jail report is positive
Jurors said prisoners got better medical care than some law-abiding citizens.
By DEBORA SHAULIS
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Members of a Mahoning County grand jury say some of the names that came before them in recent months were all too familiar.
"This grand jury is concerned about the constitutional rights of the law-abiding citizens of Mahoning County," foreman Frank L. Petrony wrote to Judge R. Scott Krichbaum of common pleas court, to whom the jury reported since last September. "There were too many repeat offenders that came before this grand jury because of the mandated release program.
"We are supposed to have a criminal justice system, not a criminal protection system," Petrony continued.
As part of their service, grand jury members toured the county Jail Dec. 15. Their observations were attached to the group's final report, which was issued Thursday.
Judge Krichbaum said he and others in the criminal justice system share the jurors' frustration.
Inmate population was capped earlier this year at 296, or about half capacity, in order to make the jail constitutionally sound.
Inmate cap
After inmates won a federal lawsuit over jail conditions, U.S. District Judge David D. Dowd told local officials to solve problems of overcrowding and understaffing. Judge Dowd currently has jurisdiction over jail issues.
Local judges responded to the inmate cap by reinstating a policy to grant emergency jail release to certain offenders. That policy was drafted in the 1990s under conditions that are similar to today, Judge Krichbaum said Friday.
In recent months, there have been cases in which defendants who received emergency release committed new crimes.
The release mechanism "can be viewed as irresponsible, but it's also a responsible solution to the current situation," Judge Krichbaum said.
Given the limit on inmates, "as crude as it may seem, prioritizing is a necessity," Judge Krichbaum said. That means rapists, burglars, robbers and murderers will be incarcerated "ahead of people who play loud music," he said.
What will solve the problem "is proper administration of the Mahoning County jail and probably more money," the judge said. "As sad as it may seem, money is a factor in all of this, and you can't house people without proper manpower."
More findings
The grand jury also made the following observations:
*The jail "was extremely clean and well maintained."
*Prisoners "get better medical care than some law-abiding citizens of the county."
*Jail resources are being used effectively, and there is room for more inmates.
*The laundry was well organized and operated.
*The kitchen area was clean.
*Sheriff Randall A. Wellington and his staff "were professional, polite and showed respect to the inmates that appeared to be reciprocated back to the staff."
People who serve on grand juries have "a unique opportunity to view the criminal justice system as no one else can," Judge Krichbaum said. "Their comments are appreciated."
shaulis@vindy.com