Post by Greener on Nov 17, 2009 16:41:08 GMT -5
Deal Reached In Jail Overcrowding Suit
Agreement Sets Occupancy Limit
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Prisoners in southern Indiana's Monroe County could no longer be forced to sleep on the jail's gymnasium floor under an agreement to settle a jail overcrowding lawsuit.
The proposed agreement between the county and inmates represented by the ACLU of Indiana sets the jail's secured bed capacity at 248.
It would require prisoners to be released or sent to other jails if that limit is exceeded.
More than 20 prisoners had to sleep in the jail's gymnasium at one point in January.
Sheriff Jim Kennedy said the jail population has topped the 248 limit three times in the past few months.
Kennedy said a million-dollar renovation and double-bunking have maximized the space and that he's satisfied with the agreement.
A federal judge could approve the agreement during a Dec. 3 hearing.
Agreement Sets Occupancy Limit
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Prisoners in southern Indiana's Monroe County could no longer be forced to sleep on the jail's gymnasium floor under an agreement to settle a jail overcrowding lawsuit.
The proposed agreement between the county and inmates represented by the ACLU of Indiana sets the jail's secured bed capacity at 248.
It would require prisoners to be released or sent to other jails if that limit is exceeded.
More than 20 prisoners had to sleep in the jail's gymnasium at one point in January.
Sheriff Jim Kennedy said the jail population has topped the 248 limit three times in the past few months.
Kennedy said a million-dollar renovation and double-bunking have maximized the space and that he's satisfied with the agreement.
A federal judge could approve the agreement during a Dec. 3 hearing.