Thursday, Jul. 02, 2009

Cop Out: St. Clair County Jail inmates set free to relieve overcrowding

To relieve chronic overcrowding at the St. Clair County Jail, 20 inmates were set free Wednesday based on their time served.

It was part of the Cop Out program.

Prosecutors from St. Clair County States' Attorney Robert Haida's office, along with public defenders, were at the jail to coordinate the releases.

"Those inmates with very minor offenses who plead guilty to the offenses are set free based on the time they've already served," Sheriff Mearl Justus said.

Justus, who said the jail has been overcrowded for years, said the jail's capacity is 330, and as of Wednesday morning, 450 prisoners were being housed at the jail.

After the 20 prisoners were let go as part of Cop Out program, three more were sent to another county, leaving 427 prisoners at the jail as of Wednesday afternoon.

Justus said there may be another Cop Out day next week.

"We provide mattresses for those who we don't have beds for. We set them up in the gymnasium," Justus said.

Justus acknowledged that some of the prisoners had to lay on the floor because "we were out of mattresses."

"Our supply officer retired, and the new supply officer didn't get additional mattresses ordered quick enough.We expect to have more mattresses in a week to 10 days," Justus said.

"It's not a good thing, and we don't like it," Justus said. "But there's not a lot we can do about it. Jails around the country are facing the same situation."

Justus said the county is trying to address plans to expand the jail and increase bed space.

"But that's been put on hold at the present time because of the economical climate.When things get smoother, it's going to happen," he said.

Asked whether all of the prisoners are being fed properly and allowed to get a shower, Justus said, "I'm sure some of them didn't get a shower when they should have, but I don't think we've had a major problem. We have a dedicated staff. They work really hard. I know they wouldn't let anything like that happen.

"Everybody at the jail gets three meals a day. I am sure it is not always what they want, but you have to remember we're not the Holiday Inn."

Justus said the meals total 2,750 calories a day for the inmates.

"We don't give them pizza, ice cream and a lot of other things," Justus said. "They are inactive. They get enough to sustain them."