Pubdate: Wed, 21 Jun 2006 Source: Tallahassee Democrat (FL) Copyright: 2006 Tallahassee Democrat. Contact: http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/democrat/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/444 Note: Prints email address for LTEs sent by email Author: Emery Goins JAIL NEEDS HELP BEYOND EXPANSION Re: "Paying for crime: Balanced approach makes sense" (Our Opinion, June 20). The jail editorial was disappointing, and here are some reasons why: It fails to mention that one reason the Leon County Jail is so full is that the Leon County court's diversion programs have been drastically reduced since 1999. If diversion programs were reinstated for the nonviolent offenders, then there would be no need for a jail expansion. The editorial makes no mention of the death of an inmate at the jail only days ago. Initial reports indicated that the death was not related to overcrowding. It seems that there are other problems at the jail that need immediate attention. Why do we want to willy-nilly expand our jail before correcting problems in the present jail? If someone is on suicide watch and they die, then obviously there is a problem. Finally, the jail is run by the sheriff because the Leon County Commission gives the sheriff that authority. What expertise in jail administration does an elected sheriff, any current county commissioner, or members of the Democrat editorial board have? Why not hire a more professional authority to evaluate the jail expansion issue? Emery Goins - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman