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[Note: This material is copyright by The Daily Iowan, and is reproduced here as a matter of "fair use" for non-commercial, educational purposes only. Any other use may require the prior approval of The Daily Iowan.]

The recommendations of the 2003 task force are essentially the same as identified by the 2007 consultants: the need for more information and review of current practices and policies that control the number of prisoners before discussion of a new jail.

As an example of this aspect of the problem of overcrowding, consider that in the last half of calendar year 2002, 3.49 percent of the prisoners days were accommodated outside the jail system through the use of monitoring bracelets. This figure, which was likely too low to begin with, dropped to 0.7 percent in November. Each prisoner released with a bracelet reduces the need for jail space and an operating cost of approximately $75 per day. Why has this near elimination of bracelet monitoring happened?

I want to emphasize that the cost to transport prisoners out of county - $1.7 million, represents the cost to hold these prisoners in the jail system, independently of location, not a premium to send the prisoners to another jail. Each prisoner costs around $75 per day regardless of where he or she is held; therefore, these funds will not be available to construct a new jail or reduce the cost to house prisoners.

Both reports acknowledged the probable need in the future for increased jail space and affirm the requirement for the safety of the public and jail staff. What is needed now, before planning for more jail capacity, is a thorough review of whether we have too many prisoners in jail.

Richard Gibson
2002, 2003 head of citizen's task force to study the jail situation