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Columbiana judge’s program saves $181K in jail costs
LISBON
Columbiana County Municipal Court Judge Carol Ann Robb has been able to punish criminals and save the county money.
The county’s electronic- monitoring house arrest program began in 2008 under her direction.
The administration costs for the program have totaled $17,439.
Because of the program, the county saved $181,057 over the last three years in jail costs.
County Commissioner Jim Hoppel released the numbers at the commissioners’ regular meeting Wednesday.
When a prisoner is housed at the jail, the county is responsible for the prisoner’s food, shelter and, if needed, medicine or medical care, Hoppel said.
The solution by Judge Robb, Hoppel said, was electronic ankle bracelets.
Some people charged with a misdemeanor charge can get an ankle bracelet that can tell authorities where a person is located.
Mike Mazanowski, a probation officer for Judge Robb, said that Mid-American Court Services in Youngstown has the technology to monitor the defendants. Some people are allowed to leave their homes while wearing the monitor.
Other people are not allowed out of their homes while they are being monitored.