Supporting Public Safety By Reducing Jail Overcrowding

01/29/2022

by Wendy McNamara This session, I co-authoredÂ legislation to help address jail overcrowding and boost resources to fight crime.Â House Bill 1004Â would provide judicial flexibility so Level 6 felony offenders can be sent to the Indiana Department of Correction. A recentÂ reportÂ by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute shows nearly 75% of all felony criminal filings in 2021 were Level 6 felonies, with many of those substance-related, like possession of meth or operating while intoxicated. With the DOC often offering greater access to mental health and addiction treatment services than many local jails, more offenders can get additional help to stay out of the criminal justice system.
According to theÂ Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, 77% of Indiana’s jails are overcrowded or at capacity. Alleviating county jail overcrowding issues will help locals redirect resources to where they matter most.Â To learn more aboutÂ House Bill 1004,