Pubdate: Thu, 25 Mar 2010 Source: State, The (SC) Copyright: 2010 The State Contact: http://www.thestate.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/426 Author: Paul Seay EARLY-RELEASE CAN HELP INMATES AND STATE I'm in favor of the Department of Corrections releasing nonviolent inmates early if it will help save money. Likewise, counties might also be able to trim from their budgets the costs of housing inmates awaiting trial. State law (Section 17-23-90) allows for inmates awaiting trials in county jails to petition for their release if not indicted and brought to trial within two terms of court following their arrest. This means most inmates awaiting trial could petition for their release after just a few months in jail. Seeing how there are many pre-trial detainees who languish in jail for a year or more waiting to go to trial, it seems obvious that counties could save money if more pre-trial detainees knew about this statute. Perhaps it's time to pass a law mandating that magistrates and Circuit Court judges inform defendants at their bail hearings of their right to petition for their release under this statute. PAUL SEAY Irmo - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D