CINCINNATI --
Criminal suspects arrested less than 24 hours ago could be back on the street Thursday night, because the Hamilton County Jail has exceeded full capacity.
Voters rejected a measure in November that would have funded a new jail, and budget cuts forced the closure of the county's Queensgate jail facility last month.
"It's going to get worse," said Sheriff Simon Leis. "There's no other recourse but for it to get worse."
More than 2,300 suspects have been released since December, and authorities have been unable to house some newly arrested suspects.
For example, 32-year-old Daniel Poe was taken into custody Wednesday night following a lengthy, high-speed chase, but he was released a few hours later.
"If you've got repeat offenders, low-level, non-violent and their basic problem is that they're addicted to drugs or they have mental illness, let's solve that problem so they don't end up taking up jail space, because that jail space should be for the more violent people," said County Commissioner David Pepper.
Leis said most of the people housed in the jail belong there, and he said the only solution to overcrowding is the construction of a new jail.
"I would hope if it ever comes to pass that citizens of this community have the opportunity to support a sales tax, to build a jail, that they think twice and vote for it," Leis said.
Story From: wlwt.com
Criminal suspects arrested less than 24 hours ago could be back on the street Thursday night, because the Hamilton County Jail has exceeded full capacity.
Voters rejected a measure in November that would have funded a new jail, and budget cuts forced the closure of the county's Queensgate jail facility last month.
"It's going to get worse," said Sheriff Simon Leis. "There's no other recourse but for it to get worse."
More than 2,300 suspects have been released since December, and authorities have been unable to house some newly arrested suspects.
For example, 32-year-old Daniel Poe was taken into custody Wednesday night following a lengthy, high-speed chase, but he was released a few hours later.
"If you've got repeat offenders, low-level, non-violent and their basic problem is that they're addicted to drugs or they have mental illness, let's solve that problem so they don't end up taking up jail space, because that jail space should be for the more violent people," said County Commissioner David Pepper.
Leis said most of the people housed in the jail belong there, and he said the only solution to overcrowding is the construction of a new jail.
"I would hope if it ever comes to pass that citizens of this community have the opportunity to support a sales tax, to build a jail, that they think twice and vote for it," Leis said.
Story From: wlwt.com
