July 27, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Solving Jail Overcrowding Through Public & Private Partnerships

Jail
Because of AB109, county jails have been turned into a broad incarceration solution for individuals with sentences ranging from short to long term, including both violent and non-violent inmates.

By Eric Granof

Jail overcrowding here in California has been an ongoing problem for many years.  However, it has been greatly exacerbated by AB109, the prison realignment initiative, which has pushed increasing numbers of convicted state prisoners down to our local jails.  The influx of these individuals has overwhelmed community leaders, who are at a loss as to how to handle inmates that county jails were never intended to accommodate.

County jails were originally designed to house persons awaiting trial (pretrial populations), as well as those serving sentences of one year or less.  Those with longer sentences were sent to a state prison.

Because of AB109, county jails have been turned into a broad incarceration solution for individuals with sentences ranging from short to long term, including both violent and non-violent inmates.

Seemingly lost in the chaos of AB109, have been the pretrial populations that reside in every county jail.  These individuals are being utilized as a sort of flow control, released whenever jails require more bed space for those already convicted of presumably more serious or dangerous charges.  The traffic jam of persons flowing through our jails has created a tremendous demand for solutions to get the pretrial population through the system as efficiently and safely as possible.

Jails have become extremely crowded and something has to give.

The commercial bail industry has been made a target by some looking to lay blame for the problem.  As the argument goes, jails are overcrowded because the folks sitting in them can’t afford a bail bond. This may sound reasonable, but is patently untrue.  To illustrate, let’s look at the possibility of completely eliminating commercial bail – frequently suggested as an easy solution.  Persons awaiting trial would simply be released on their own recognizance.  In one easy step, the overcrowding problem would be gone, right?  Probably not.  Oregon, Illinois, Wisconsin and Kentucky are among states dealing with significant jail overcrowding issues.  Yet, none have commercial bail.   Obviously, bail cannot be the root cause of the problem.

To come up with a realistic solution to jail overcrowding, it’s first necessary to understand the actual purpose of pretrial release, which is to guarantee the appearance in court of an individual who has been charged with a crime.  If a judge feels that an arrestee is a flight risk and may not show up for trial, he has the ability to hold him without bail.   Alternatively, bail can be set at a higher dollar amount.  This is to provide an incentive for the defendant to show – or risk losing the entire amount of the bail.

More than any other method of release, commercial bail industry excels at guaranteeing a defendant’s appearance in court by providing for accountability.  Numerous studies, including those conducted by the Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, have proven this to be true.

However, entering into the equation are defendants who are extremely low risk and/or who may have extraordinary needs.  These persons (typically the indigent or those with substance abuse issues) might require special assistance.  Public sector pretrial programs exist to help these individuals who can’t otherwise help themselves.  Unfortunately, these same public sector programs have been utilized with increasing frequency for dealing with defendants without special needs.  Getting someone into an alcohol abuse program is very different than ensuring someone will show up for court!

Different needs in the criminal justice system require different solutions.

The logical solution to jail overcrowding lies in allowing the private sector commercial bail industry to do its job, moving defendants through the system.  While public sector pretrial service agencies perform a vital role in helping the truly indigent and those who are functionally incapacitated, allowing them to handle all forms of pretrial release is inefficient.  Not only is commercial bail a far more effective method of release, it bolsters public safety by holding defendants accountable.

As the ramifications of AB109 continue to play out, the need to address the resulting jail overcrowding issue in a meaningful way has become urgent.  Both private and public entities are important components of the criminal justice system, so it’s time that all parties to come together to find the best way to fix our problems.  The stakes are far too high to delay the resolution of this critical issue.

 

in News
Related Posts

LAPD to Conduct DUI Checkpoints Across City This Weekend

July 26, 2025

July 26, 2025

LAPD officials said checkpoint locations are chosen based on areas with high numbers of DUI-related crashes and arrests The Los...

Metro D Line Resumes Today After 70-Day Closure

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

The shutdown, which began May 17, enabled Metro to connect the current line to newly built tunnels extending west under...

TODAY: Venice Artbeat Celebrates Community and Supports Local Causes

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

The event offers live music, dance performances, live art, food, and storytelling Venice Artbeat, a community-focused festival, takes place on...

Sunset Jazz & Pizza Series Returns to The Lobster

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

The series blends jazz from a three-piece house band with handcrafted pizzas and $5 Open Brewing beers  The Lobster’s popular...

Los Angeles Marks Milestone in Youth Sports Enrollment

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

A program has surpassed one million enrollments, providing low-cost and, in some cases, free access to youth and adaptive sports ...

LAHSA Appoints New Interim CEO Amid System Transitions

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

The agency is navigating uncertainty following the county’s decision to create a separate homelessness department and shifting federal policy priorities...

Venice Chamber Installs New Board at Community Event

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

Representatives from multiple levels of government were in attendance The Venice Chamber of Commerce welcomed its newly elected 2025–26 Board...

Measles Case Confirmed in LA, Officials Urge Vaccination

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

Investigators are working to identify potential exposures and assess the risk to others Health officials have confirmed a case of...

In Your Time of Need, Woodlawn Cemetery is Available

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

By Susan Payne  For over 125 years, Woodlawn Cemetery, Mausoleum & Mortuary, wholly owned and operated by the city of...

Going for the throat

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

Coach Bill Schuman expects protégé Golda Zahra to hold back nothing  By Linda Chase World famous competitors hire special coaches...

Suspect Arrested in Fatal Brentwood Whole Foods Stabbing, Area to See Increased Police Presence

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

The suspect, initially described as a man in his early 20s wearing dark clothing, fled the scene on foot.  A...

(Video) Seniors Age with Dignity at Wise & Healthy Aging’s Adult Day Center

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

For More Information, Go To Wiseandhealthyaging.org/ Seniors Age with Dignity at Wise & Healthy Aging’s Adult Day Center. For More...

California Reports 13% Drop in Vehicle Thefts in 2024, First Decline Since 2019

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

Southern California accounted for 53.21% of thefts, with Los Angeles County alone representing 61.83% of the region’s total California reported...

LAPD Pacific Boosters’ West LA Summer Carnival Takes Place This Weekend

July 24, 2025

July 24, 2025

The carnival will feature amusement rides for all ages, arcade-style games, and traditional fair food The LAPD Pacific Area Boosters...

Venice Ale House is Now the European-Inspired ‘Venice Beach Club’

July 24, 2025

July 24, 2025

The menu features items like steak frites, crudo, and house-made pizzas, under the direction of Executive Chef James Samuel A...