DEFENDANTS ESCAPE JAIL TIME

Hundreds Released Because Of Overcrowding

Hundreds of defendants have escaped time behind bars because there is
no room at the Hamilton County jail - even though county taxpayers
have spent more than $500,000 in the last six weeks to house overflow
inmates in Butler County.

"Sending 200 (inmates) to Butler County doesn't solve our problem of
being overcrowded," sheriff's spokesman Steve Barnett said.

Trying to address jail overcrowding, commissioners began renting
excess jail space in Butler County, paying $65 per day per bed for up
to 200 beds. . Since the export of inmates started April 14, an
average of 171 Hamilton County inmates per day have been sent to
Butler County, costing taxpayers $500,175 during that 45-day period.

That alleviated the Hamilton County jail overcrowding problem for
about six weeks, but high arrest rates resulted in the sheriff's
office returning to "process only" four days ago.

"Process only" is arresting, fingerprinting, photographing - but not
jailing - defendants and releasing them to appear at a future court date.

That usually is done for those accused of non-violent, lesser crimes
like prostitution or disorderly conduct.

It's done to save jail beds - Hamilton County's jail system has 2,274
- - for those charged with more serious crimes.

A consultant recommended in January that Hamilton County add 800
beds, at a cost of $225 million, to ease overcrowding.

In early April, Hamilton County Administrator Patrick Thompson said
the plan to finance the addition of those recommended 800 additional
beds would be announced within 60 days.

He said Thursday that announcement is "imminent."