Overcrowding in Jefferson County Jail Gets Inmates Early Release
Budget cuts in Jefferson County resulted in 31 inmates being released from jail early.
Because of those budget cuts, the jail was forced to close one floor of the jail, which resulted in overcrowding on the remaining floors and officials decided to release the inmates to ease the overcrowding issue.
The closure resulted in the facility losing 244 beds, reducing the number from 1,392 to 1,148. Now if the jail's population rises above 1,171, inmates will have to be released.
The plan in place involves releasing those inmates who have served at least half of their sentences and qualify to be released early. Those who have served the highest percentage of their sentences will be reviewed for release first.
Those inmates who have sentences preventing them from getting early release or have judges orders preventing it will not be considered.