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| Program Eases Jail Crowding |
| By Fort Worth Star-Telegram |
| Published: 09/23/2002 |
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Overcrowding in the Tarrant County, Texas, Jail has prompted Sheriff Dee Anderson to reinstate a good-time policy that lets some inmates out before they complete their court-imposed sentences. Felons, violent criminals, deadbeat dads and inmates headed for a state prison need not apply for early release. The new policy covers only inmates convicted of misdemeanors who have been sentenced to a county jail. Under the new guidelines that began Aug. 29, trusties, the most responsible inmates who work while in jail, can knock three days off their sentences for every well-behaved day served. Other inmates can reduce their sentences by two days for every good-time day served. Previously, trusties earned two days for good time and other inmates earned nothing. Under Texas law, sheriffs are allowed to release prisoners who earn good-conduct credit. The last time such a good-time policy was in place was in the early 1990s, when county jails like Tarrant's were bursting at the seams with state prisoners. New state prisons eventually eased the overcrowding. New problems that contribute to overcrowding confront Anderson and his staff: North Texas' population is booming. The configuration of the county's newest jail makes it difficult to use all the beds and still separate categories of inmates who must be kept apart. The old Belknap jail closed. Air conditioning problems plague several jail floors in another building. And the old minimum-security Cold Springs jail, remodeled several years ago, is being used for office space. The state's Fair Defense Act, adopted last year, which requires attorneys for indigent defendants, is also adding to the jail population, officials said. The county jail, with space for about 3,500 inmates, has roughly 3,200 inmates. Of those, about 500 would be eligible for early release, said Chief Deputy Bob Knowles, who supervises county jail operations. About 115 trusties are now earning three days good time for each day served and 130 inmates are earning two days, Knowles said. About 220 inmates have been released early, including some on work-release programs and others serving time on weekends. Trusties who serve time for fines can earn $150 per day against their fine. Others eligible for early release can earn $100 per day against the amount due on their fines. Most of the misdemeanor sentences range from a few days to several months, though some sentences can be as long as a year. Inmates sentenced to jail as part of their probation are not eligible for early release, Knowles said. The good conduct early-release policy is widely used at other large county jails in Texas. |
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