Overcrowding in County Jail

Overcrowding in the Kitsap County Jail is forcing officials to change the standards about who stays behind bars and who gets released. Anyone arrested in Kitsap County is still booked into jail, but depending on the suspected crimes, some are being released without bail. The jail can operate with 421 inmates, but the population is currently exceeding that number. On Friday, the jail was 11 percent over maximum capacity. Records have shown that inmates are staying longer. The courts are seeing an increase in persons coming through there facing sentencing, so it’s a matter of these two aspects that are causing this. In response, the chief of corrections made some changes to the jail’s intake standards. Right now, the jail is booking and holding inmates for felony crimes, felony drug charges and domestic violence. But officials are releasing people suspected of nonviolent crimes, including misdemeanor theft, driving with a suspended license and DUI. The overcrowding also comes as the jail deals with budget issues and limited staff. But officals said the changes at the jail were made with safety in mind. “We recognize that fact that’s why we’re only being less restrictive with regard to crimes against property or civil violations, we’re not talking about crimes against persons,” officials stated. Officials are looking at the jail population every day, so the standards will change as the number of inmates decrease. If you or a loved one is charged with a criminal offense in Washington State, it is imperative that you seek the assistance of a qualified and reputable Seattle criminal defense attorney. The Seattle criminal attorneys that make up the criminal defense team of SQ Attorneys are highly qualified and reputable Seattle criminal lawyers that are dedicated to providing top notch, aggressive representation for those arrested for crime all across Western Washington and the Greater Puget Sound region. The team creates success by working with law enforcement and the prosecuting attorney’s office to ensure that all facts and circumstances related to the criminal allegations are considered in creating the fairest, most equitable and just resolution possible in light of all the surrounding circumstances of the given case.

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