Grand Jury: Need for jail is immediate
By Winston Jones
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
Jail overcrowding is nearing a crisis level and the need for a new facility is immediate, according to a report recently released by last October’s Douglas County Grand Jury session.
“The jail is overcrowded and the construction of a new facility must be addressed for the safety of the workers, community, prisoners and law officials,” the written report from the 26-member panel declared.
Sheriff Phil Miller said the grand jury toured the jail and annex and was very complimentary of city and county law enforcement.
“The jail is overcrowded and the construction of a new facility must be addressed for the safety of the workers, community, prisoners and law officials,” the written report from the 26-member panel declared.
Sheriff Phil Miller said the grand jury toured the jail and annex and was very complimentary of city and county law enforcement.
“It, and every grand jury before it, saw our need for a new facility,” Miller said Friday. “I hope people in the community will understand what the real need is.”
The grand jury found the jail “clean and in order” but said the overcrowding is now at a potential crisis level. The report also cited the increases in female and maximum security inmates resulting in a need for more room to segregate these populations.
“Members of the grand jury were very thorough in their inspection and in obtaining information about jail operations,” said Chief Deputy Stan Copeland.
The grand jury found the jail “clean and in order” but said the overcrowding is now at a potential crisis level. The report also cited the increases in female and maximum security inmates resulting in a need for more room to segregate these populations.
“Members of the grand jury were very thorough in their inspection and in obtaining information about jail operations,” said Chief Deputy Stan Copeland.
“We weren’t surprised at the jury’s findings,” said County Administrator Eric Linton. “We’ve known for some time that the need to build a jail is imminent. The community must find a way to fund a new facility before the jail population elevates to what is sure to be an uncontrollable level.”
The grand jury also called for more juvenile cases involving serious or violent crimes to be heard as adult cases in Superior Court instead of juvenile court.
“The grand jury suggests it is in the best interests of this community and justice for the juvenile court to cooperate with the Superior Court and the district attorney’s office to ensure that these types of offenders are not protected merely by their chronological age, when their criminal history, cognitive age and the nature of their crimes dictate they should be prosecuted as adults,” the report said.
The grand jury also called for more juvenile cases involving serious or violent crimes to be heard as adult cases in Superior Court instead of juvenile court.
“The grand jury suggests it is in the best interests of this community and justice for the juvenile court to cooperate with the Superior Court and the district attorney’s office to ensure that these types of offenders are not protected merely by their chronological age, when their criminal history, cognitive age and the nature of their crimes dictate they should be prosecuted as adults,” the report said.
Other grand jury recommendations included:
• increase in the number of school resource officers from 31 to 32, including one officer for Haven Academy and two for Alexander High;
• continuing education of parents and at-risk students on available resources;
• increase in the number of school resource officers from 31 to 32, including one officer for Haven Academy and two for Alexander High;
• continuing education of parents and at-risk students on available resources;
• increase in the public awareness and a proactive stance on gang activity;
• programs to teach teens the consequences of illegal acts;
• increase in random drug testing in all high schools that would include all students;
• programs to teach teens the consequences of illegal acts;
• increase in random drug testing in all high schools that would include all students;
• increase of programs for at-risk teen and future teen drivers;
• increase in random spot checks by canine units;
• and additional monetary compensation for the district attorney, sheriff and staff “to combat the rate of inflation.”
• increase in random spot checks by canine units;
• and additional monetary compensation for the district attorney, sheriff and staff “to combat the rate of inflation.”
During the October session, the grand jury considered 291 special presentations of which 287 were returned as true bills (indictments).
During the term, 135 evidence subpoenas were brought to the attention of the grand jury and were tabled or continued to the April grand jury term.
The report expressed thanks to the district attorney and his staff for the “professionalism and conscientious performance” of their duties. It also commended law enforcement personnel who testified as being “very knowledgeable, proficient and informative.”
During the term, 135 evidence subpoenas were brought to the attention of the grand jury and were tabled or continued to the April grand jury term.
The report expressed thanks to the district attorney and his staff for the “professionalism and conscientious performance” of their duties. It also commended law enforcement personnel who testified as being “very knowledgeable, proficient and informative.”
No comments:
Post a Comment