Pubdate: Tue, 21 May 2002
Source: Parkersburg News, The (WV)
Copyright: 2002, The Parkersburg News
Contact:  http://www.newsandsentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1648
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/prison.htm (Incarceration)

High Crime

OVERCROWDED JAILS SIGN OF A SYSTEM IN TROUBLE

Is overcrowding at jails in West Virginia a national security 
problem? Don't laugh until you've learned what happened in Kanawha 
County a few days ago.

According to published reports, 13 illegal immigrants arrested by 
authorities had to be released because there was no room to house 
them at either of the two regional jails serving that area. A 
sheriff's deputy apprehended the 13 after their van broke down. He 
contacted the Immigration and Naturalization Service, which informed 
him that though normal INS policy is to incarcerate illegal aliens, 
no cells were available for them in the Charleston area. Names were 
taken and the 13 were released. It is unlikely there were any 
terrorists among the 13 people arrested in Kanawha County. They 
appeared to be from Mexico, in this country to take advantage of 
opportunities for seasonal farm work. Had there been reason to 
suspect they had mischief on their minds, we feel confident Kanawha 
County authorities would not have released them so quickly.

Still, the question of whether inability to detain illegal aliens is 
a security concern is a valid one. It is something INS officials in 
this state and others with overcrowded jails should investigate. 
There simply must be back-up plans in place to ensure that illegal 
aliens who may pose security risks are not set free after being 
apprehended.

Meanwhile, West Virginia officials face the dilemma of what to do 
with prisoners convicted or accused of crimes and for whom there is 
no adequate space in regional jails. Overcrowding is a problem at 
regional jails throughout the state. Some relief will come from three 
new corrections facilities scheduled to be open by the end of next 
year.

Corrections officials should be pursuing every option to deal with 
jail overcrowding. Alternative sentencing, perhaps including home 
confinement for non-violent offenders, is one possibility. Clearly, 
work already begun on a long-term plan to deal with overcrowding 
should be pressed forward with all dispatch.
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MAP posted-by: Josh