Examination of an Intervention to Address Jail Overcrowding

• In Event: Mass Incarceration, Crowding and Overcrowding: International and National Data

Abstract

Jail overcrowding and jail misuse has become a key social justice issue, particularly given the racial, ethnic and class disparity of those incarcerated (National Research Council, 2014). Jail overcrowding has not only been associated with multiple safety and health problems for inmates, but those on pretrial detention face an increased likelihood and length of post-sentence incarceration (Oleson et al., 2014). This paper will explore an initiative adopted by a large urban county to combat jail overcrowding via use of a specialized pilot docket that will target defendants with charges for low level, non-violent felonies such as drug possession, repeat prostitution and retail theft. The use of this single docket is designed to maximize diversion and community-based efforts via the increased use of pretrial bonds, pretrial interventions, and placement on community supervision. Interventions focus on community-based options rather than county or state jail time. This study will examine the impact of this specialized docket on community supervision placements. Results contribute to the growing body of literature on jail overcrowding and offers specific strategies for managing this issue.

Authors

• Lori Brusman Lovins, University of Houston-Downtown

• Brian Lovins, Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department

• Haci Duru, Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department

• Teresa May, Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department