The Impact of COVID-19 on Booking: Evidence From Two Texas Counties

• In Event: Data in Indigent Defense: Criminal Legal System Responses to Disruption: COVID-19 and Funding Injections

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there were serious concerns about the virus spreading within the jail populations. Jurisdictions and appropriate agencies maintained strict policies restricting access to jail to stop the introduction of the virus and ultimately its spread to jail population. One of the alleged policies is limiting booking through either not arresting people for low level offenses or delaying serving warrants. This paper examines the impact of COVID-19 on bookings in two different Texas Counties using daily booking data, 911 calls, traffic data, and COVID-19 data. Findings from this study could inform policymakers of how the jail system is affected by large nationwide shocks.

Authors

• Georges Naufal, Texas A&M University

• Emily Naiser, Texas A&M University