That isn't news to regular Grits readers, who already know that Harris County judges frequently require defendants to post cash bond unneccessarily and jail drug users instead of sending them to treatment. Even so, I'm glad the local media has figured out who's to blame. Earlier reporting made jail overcrowding sound inevitable, like an Act of God.
Looking for more? In several prior posts all linked here, Grits discussed in detail the causes of overincarceration in Harris County, adumbrating more fully the two studies cited by the Chronicle.
UPDATE (8-23): The Chron's editorial board followed up, placing responsibility for county jail overcrowding squarely where it belongs: on former prosecutors turned "activist judges." They wrote:
The county's judiciary is drawn almost exclusively from the ranks of former prosecutors and is known for tough sentencing. However, it makes no sense to fill the jail to overflowing with nonviolent defendants who lack the financial wherewithal to buy a get out of jail pass.
Likewise, throwing prisoners convicted of minor drug offenses into the county jail is bad justice. State law recognizes that society is best-served by rehabilitating minor drug offenders through treatment and counseling in a nonpenal setting. Activist judges here, ignoring the conservative mantra that judges should follow the law, decided on their own to thwart the intent of Texas lawmakers.
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11 comments:
Okay,
So let's just slap someone on the hands for doing wrong, so the next time pour the wrath upon them? You have got to be kidding me! How will anyone learn a lesson from doing wrong unless we show them what this lifestyle will lead to. Prosecutors keep on prosecuting! Everyone else, get a grip!
It strikes me as almost certain then, anonymous, that you'd support a large property tax increase to pay for more jail space, right? After all, those prosecutors gotta keep on prosecutin'!
I heard that the county gets 100.00 per day per inmate. Is this true? Where is the money going to? The inmates get very little medical care, some sleep on the floor, the food is not good, at times there is no water, no toilet paper. I think the animals at SPCA get better treatment. I hope someone can come up with a solution.
OK, Ive been told Im wrong before but here goes. Legalise Pot, as such the population out here is going to smoke it anyway, we might as well get some tax revenu from it. Both sides would win, as the inside wouldnt be so overcrowded and the outside would be generating income.
First of all, the people in jail are not there for smoking pot. They make smoke pot also, but that is not what put them in jail. I agree with the legalization of marijuana, but not other drugs as I have a sister, a son, and a brother-in-law with addiction issues and it is so very frustrating to live with. However it seems like EVERYTHING anyone does now is a felony. There are no accidents anymore. Sometimes you walk across the street without looking and get hit by a truck. That is an accident, but today, the poor truck driver will be charged with some kind of a felony. Put violent offenders away, thieves should be under the jail. Treat addictions, and teach juveniles. Child sex offenders should be killed as there is no "cure" for that perversion and they will re-offend. Elect sensible candidates, not American Idols.
Whats sad about the "justice" system is that it is not fair for all people. Innocent people get locked up and charged with felonies all of the time. Whether it is being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Whether it is socializing with the wrong people at the right time, or whether it is just existing and minding your own business. I have been to jail and let me assure you it is not a place anyone accused of "petty" crimes, or "petty" drug use should be.But what is more frustrating than that, is that the child offenders, the murderers, the big time dope dealers, they get to go to prison. A place where the beds are more comfortable than in the county. Where they get better food thats hot. Where they get more for your buck commissary. Hot showers and soforth. And go outside more often than in the county to recieve that beautiful sun light we take for granted. So be a hardcore criminal you get prison aka luxury, but be a first time violater or make a "petty" mistake, and you get to go to county aka hell!
And its not over there, the system screws you so hard, that even if you only made a wrong choice of friends, boyfriend, or what have you the rest of your life could very much so be ruined for life! Be it almost impossible to get a apartment. To get a job! And its only thru God that anybody can make it thru a raw deal like that. So we have to think about this: are these judges and prosecuters really cleaning the streets of crimes and criminals? Or are they just trying to earn their stripes by any means neccesary?
True, if convicted, the convict gets a bed, exercise, to go outside, to have visitors who can hug them, books, magazines, textbooks, literature, cards, pens. However, a depressed sick person who has no money and gets "held" in Harris County sleeps on concrete under the stairwell (where my son has been for six months now) is allowed no reading material other than the bible, is not allowed any personal contact with family, no books, magazines, cards, and much of the mail gets "lost". Fights are common in the overcrowded room. All because he spent two days trying to get medical treatment at Ben Taub and was still waiting in line, without food for two days. WOW! These Texas judges have no idea what fair is. They come from a prosecutor's office and win a position as judge and rule to favor their former workmates...the prosecutors...who become judges and rule to favor prosecutors. What is right and just and fair is not important. What is important is winning an election and getting a promotion just like Chuck Rosenthal who thinks anyone charged with a crime is guilty.
Well, being a former resident of the Harris County Jail I can comment without feeling like I'm blowing hot air. I have lived many other places/states and none have been like Texas, specifically Harris County. It is ridiculous how easy it is for someone to go to jail in Harris County. Even for simple traffic violations that turn into warrants because perhaps you forgot your court date. That is one of the reasons for the overcrowding I believe. Why should people be issued warrants for their arrests for simple traffic violations? I was thrown in jail with people who were in there for armed robbery, shootings, and other violent crimes just for a speeding ticket. How is justice being served that way for me and thousands of others who have been sent to jail for minor non-criminal offenses. Texas is a police state and they just don't care too much about the rights of its citizens. Nowhere else have I lived and had to be so much in fear of doing anything because I might end up in jail. Not a nice place to live and enjoy life if you have to constantly be looking over your shoulder. The police are the main ones locking people up for all kind of foolishness. A lot of what they do needs to be investigated too.
It is ridiculous to say that judges are responsible for the overcrowding of Harris Co. jails. Convicted criminals are responsible for the overcrowding. Guns don't shoot people, people shoot people. Do the crime and pay the time.
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