Sheriffs Call on Legislators to Address Unprecedented State Image Jail Crisis in Special Session

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas sheriffs are in full pursuit of a solution of a critical situation. This chase is leading them on the Arkansas General Assembly looking for answers in the midst of a crisis in Arkansas. They say it is imperative for the state inmate crisis to be added to the call for any ensuing special session this summer. “This is a dire situation in our county jails and in our communities across the state,” said Ronnie Baldwin, Arkansas Sheriffs Association executive director. “The sheriffs of Arkansas have decided to engage legislators and set the tone for this issue being assed to the call for possible special sessions this summer. Frustrations continue to rise for sheriffs as the consider the public safety in their communities.”

Ultimately, Gov. Mike Beebe can green light this issue on the call of a special session. County jails are dangerously bloated with more then 2,714 state inmates collectively. Baldwin said. “We have already seen a severe negative impact in our communities for the safely of our citizens by housing state inmates. It is increasingly more difficult for the sheriffs to perform the duties they were elected to preform.” Sheriffs plan to request one-time funding for the Department of Corrections to contract with third parties for the housing of state inmates throughout the net fiscal year. They also resolved to place a cap in how many state inmates county jails could be called upon to handle collectively at 1,600 inmates statewide.

The overcrowding in county jails that stem from an exorbitant number of state inmates has imposed a dangerous situation in counties and communities across the state.

Many county jails are not able to detain the offenders that should be in county facilities. Recently, one county had to release 26 felony arrest inmates few to lack of space in its jails. In contrast, one state inmate has been in another count jails for more than 400 days.

These dynamics have adverse impacts on these communities due to the inability of the sheriffs to utilize their jails as they were intended.

Public safety, deputy and jail staff safety and community stability are at the forefront of concerns for the lawmen whom are responsible for these inmates and the facilities and staffs that manage them.

The number of state inmates housed in county jails ranges daily, but currently there are 2,714 state inmates in county jails waiting for space in state facilities. These numbers also do not include those awaiting parole revocation hearings.

For example, the Cummins Unit in Lincoln County has a unit capacity of 1,850. Public safety is at the forefront of this crisis; however, there are other detriments. Financially, counties are inly reimbursed $28 per day per state inmate. Legislative Audit’s inmate cost report states the actual per day per inmate expense for counties is more than $45.

“The low prisoner reimbursement rate costs counties an excessive amount and actually pulls funds from other needed resources within the counties,” said Chris Villines, Association of Arkansas Counties executive director. “This difference in a woefully low reimbursement rite compared to actual cost during a crisis like this manifests into an estimated $18 million per year to counties.”

Sheriffs also can’t serve arrest warrants, colic fines and restitution or enforce civil orders and misdemeanor violations because there is no space in their jails to house cost, inmates clothing and mattresses, wear and tear on facilities and other equipment. They also have to mitigate much more dangerous jail situation for their staffs and inmates.

“The public safety for our citizens of our communities is first and formats an much be addressed,” Baldwin said. “It is far past due for the state to take responsibility for all of its inmates.”

For more information on our local overcrowding issues, click this link:

http://mypulsenews.com/sheriff-juggling-jail-overcrowding/

About Author