July 17, 2008 02:37 pm
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Here’s another idea worth exploring as the search mounts to find ways to ease overcrowding in our local jails and prisons.
Westmoreland County is considering a plan to create a day reporting center for people accused of lesser crimes who cannot afford bail. The center would ease concerns about overcrowding at the county’s jail in Hempfield Township.
It’s an interesting concept, although not totally new. According to an Associated Press report last week, Franklin County uses a day center and requires offenders to report at a specific time.
While there, the lawbreakers are offered drug, alcohol and mental-health counseling, as well as help with employment and education.
Day reporting centers also allow troubled individuals to remain employed while they wait for trial.
This all makes much more sense than locking up, at great expense to taxpayers, individuals arrested in nonviolent, minor crimes.
It also makes more sense than to continue building new prisons or expanding the ones we already have.
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