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| Judges Want End to Inmate Releases in Indiana County |
| By Indianapolis Star |
| Published: 09/26/2002 |
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A panel of criminal court judges Tuesday recommended immediately halting the emergency release of inmates from the Marion County Jail. The 12-3 decision, if approved by a three-judge executive committee, could mean more federal litigation, a cap on the number of prisoners permitted behind bars and costly fines for the county. Court administrator Mark Renner said the executive committee plans to meet Monday morning. In August, the judges unanimously approved a similar proposal, saying city and county officials needed to make a substantial effort to improve the jail overcrowding situation. If not, judges threatened to stop relieving pressure on the system by releasing inmates. 'We meant what we said, and we said what we meant,' said Superior Court Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson, a member of the panel who supported the decision. Judges and commissioners are the only officials who can authorize releases. Under that threat, political pressure and public demand for a solution, City-County Council members last week approved funding for a new inmate-processing center, more jail beds and additional support staff for the courts. But many judges say those moves don't provide a long-term solution to the problem. 'It wasn't the comprehensive relief we were hoping for,' Magnus-Stinson said. Ken Falk, an attorney for the Indiana Civil Liberties Union, said ending prisoner releases would only make a dangerous situation worse. 'You're basically dealing with a balloon,' he said. 'It's already over inflated, and it's going to pop.' Falk said he plans to file a contempt motion against the jail today alleging that inmates don't get the daily recreation time required under a federal order. |
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