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Elected officials to blame for Harris jail overcrowding, says editorial

Earlier this week Grits placed the blame for Harris County jail overcrowding at the feet of their elected officials, especially local judges, and an editorial this morning in the Houston Chronicle agreed, concluding:A large part of the jail overcrowding problem resides with the elected judges here. They don't make good use of pre-trial release and other jail diversion programs that allow minor, nonviolent offenders to return to their jobs and families while awaiting trial. Some judges set up defendants to fail, making the terms of their probation so onerous that successful completion is unlikely. A minor infraction can send a probationer back to jail and then to prison to serve a long sentence. The Legislature is also to blame. Over the years it has made too many minor offenses felonies...continue to full post

Full post as published by Grits for Breakfast on May 09, 2008 (boomark / email).