Nemesis
06-28-2004, 05:50 PM
http://www.macombdaily.com/stories/062804/loc_jail001.shtml
Lawmakers touring county facility today.
PUBLISHED: June 28, 2004
By Jameson Cook
Macomb Daily Staff Writer
Most government leaders in Macomb County realize the county jail must be expanded. But even if an expansion were approved today, the new space wouldn't be available for probably three years.
That's why Macomb County Sheriff Hackel is lobbying state legislators to change a law to allow jail operators to put three inmates in a cell and increase the use of common areas for bunking inmates.
Existing law restricts cells to two inmates and provides a minimum amount of square footage of common area per inmate.
"We're looking at every angle we can to create more space," Hackel said. "There's a sheriff in Arizona who puts inmates in tents. Why can't we put an extra cot in a cell or in a common area during emergency overcrowding conditions?"
Hackel invited several Macomb County state lawmakers to tour the jail, hoping they will be convinced that changing the law wouldn't infringe on inmates rights.
In Miracopa County, Ariz., Sheriff Joe Arpaio has not only housed inmates in tents, but dressed them in pink underwear and re-established chains gangs and striped uniforms. He also banned coffee, R-rated movies and pornographic magazines.
The Macomb jail has exceeded its capacity of 1,438 inmates many times since early 2003. Jail keepers have been forced to release more than 100 inmates early, and judges have implemented a variety of alternative sentencing, such as tether and treatment programs.
A committee of county justice system officials has met in recent months to come up with a multimillion-dollar expansion plan to present to the Macomb County Board of Commissioners.
The state Department of Corrections also is experiencing overcrowding and is scheduled to exceed capacity in January 2006.
Lawmakers touring county facility today.
PUBLISHED: June 28, 2004
By Jameson Cook
Macomb Daily Staff Writer
Most government leaders in Macomb County realize the county jail must be expanded. But even if an expansion were approved today, the new space wouldn't be available for probably three years.
That's why Macomb County Sheriff Hackel is lobbying state legislators to change a law to allow jail operators to put three inmates in a cell and increase the use of common areas for bunking inmates.
Existing law restricts cells to two inmates and provides a minimum amount of square footage of common area per inmate.
"We're looking at every angle we can to create more space," Hackel said. "There's a sheriff in Arizona who puts inmates in tents. Why can't we put an extra cot in a cell or in a common area during emergency overcrowding conditions?"
Hackel invited several Macomb County state lawmakers to tour the jail, hoping they will be convinced that changing the law wouldn't infringe on inmates rights.
In Miracopa County, Ariz., Sheriff Joe Arpaio has not only housed inmates in tents, but dressed them in pink underwear and re-established chains gangs and striped uniforms. He also banned coffee, R-rated movies and pornographic magazines.
The Macomb jail has exceeded its capacity of 1,438 inmates many times since early 2003. Jail keepers have been forced to release more than 100 inmates early, and judges have implemented a variety of alternative sentencing, such as tether and treatment programs.
A committee of county justice system officials has met in recent months to come up with a multimillion-dollar expansion plan to present to the Macomb County Board of Commissioners.
The state Department of Corrections also is experiencing overcrowding and is scheduled to exceed capacity in January 2006.