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| Ohio Sheriff Cracks Down On Judges For Overcrowding Jails |
| By NewsNet5 |
| Published: 06/10/2003 |
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Cuyahoga County's sheriff says it's time to lay down the law. Overcrowding in the county jail has become an issue for the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Department because it could mean more criminals on the streets. NewsNet5 reported the sheriff said it's time for judges to do their part. The courts have made a concerted effort to ease the overcrowding; each judge has a self-imposed limit of 40 inmates. But Sheriff Gerald McFaul said that, in recent months, a number of judges have let that limit slide. The sheriff sent the judges a letter that said he will not return inmates to the jail from state prisons on orders from judges who are already over their limit of 40. It was a message not well received by all of the county's judges. 'That's life in the big city,' McFaul said. 'Because if we don't raise some dust, we'll leave taxpayers open to another major lawsuit again.' McFaul said he's in violation of state and federal laws and has been cited by the city's Fire Department for overcrowding. Administrative Judge Richard McMonagle wrote to the judges that he doesn't believe the sheriff can limit their ability to order prisoners returned. 'Fine, if they feel that way, maybe they can take 'em home to their homes,' he said. The sheriff said the judges simply need to manage their cases more efficiently. He said the fact that about one-third of the judges do stay under the 40-inmate limit is proof it can be done. |
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