Minutes 01/08/1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 1998 lesser crimes, but still require incarceration, and their numbers, unlike State responsible offenders, are continuing to increase. Mrs. Haskell then noted that the City must forecast for its population of inmates, which are very different from those in State prison, and our local offenders could not be sent off to fill empty prison cells. In addition, she noted, the State keeps changing the laws and rules regarding offenses and ~/~'~, offenders, which makes population forecasting at the local increasingly difficult. Council Member Teague noted that three years ago population predictions for the city inmate population were between 124 and 141 inmates for the current year, and that our current number is 137, within those predictions, but on the high side. Vice-Mayor Crabtree also reminded everyone that the current numbers reflect a lower than usual figure due to the holidays. The Sheriff noted that a 5% annual increase figure is being used for planning purposes for the City project. Mayor Adams noted that changes in the local economy and social programs could impact these figures, and City Manager Earl Reynolds noted that the State might also change the laws on crime categories and incarceration rules. Council Member Haskell agreed, and noted the importance of programs that are alternatives to incarceration and reduce recidivism. In response to a question from the Mayor, Mrs. Hopkins stated that she expected to be able to obtain qualified personnel able to be trained to carry out such programs, and that they would probably be a combination of volunteers and paid staff. Mrs. Haskell expressed her confidence that funds committed to such programs would prove cost effective. Vice-Mayor Crabtree thanked the Sheriff and the rest of the team for a good presentation, and a job well done in his efforts to reduce costs of jail operations. In response to a question from Council Member Dallas, the Sheriff stated that as much as 50% of his it;mate population were from Henry County and other locations outside the City. Mr. Dallas noted that a lot of the need to spend this money was based upon crimes committed by people who don't even live in the City. Mayor Adams stated that the Sheriff and his staff have taken this project in the fight direction, that of re-education and change of inmates, and Mrs. Haskell agreed stating that the Sheriff and his staff are in the vanguard of best current practices. She also stated the need to continue to focus on efforts to move offenders through the judicial process as expeditiously as possible and reinforced the need to keep the public informed of the real issues associated with jail needs in the community. Mr. Dallas