More efficient system dispels need for new jail
Much has been written about building a new $100 million jail to house 1,000 prisoners. There's a much easier, cheaper and sensible way to resolve the problem.
Bring modernization and efficiency to the system so that it would never hold more than a few hundred prisoners at a time.
Operate the court system like a modern efficient business, not the present good old boy and buddy system.
Require lawyers, judges and court personnel to be on the job six hours a day, five days a week and use their time to clear out the jails, and allow no extensions for any reason other than absolute necessities.
An amazing amount of time is wasted while people sit in jail because lawyers are taking care of personal business or playing golf.
Also use house arrest rather than jail for those being held on minor charges. If these suggestions were followed, prisoners would be processed efficiently, justice served better, there would be a surplus of jail space and the public would save $100 million.
It is time to update a system that has not been changed in ages.
Al Myrick
Greensboro
Comments (2)
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"lawyers are .....playing golf"
The payoff has to happen somewhere.
Posted on March 2, 2007 12:09 PM
But shouldn't the city encourage that lawyers play golf, instead of doing their nefarious work in the courts?
I agree with much in this letter--use the ankle bracelets for non-violent offenders and save us from the new jail. Wasn't the figure $100,000 per prisoner (plus operating costs)? Think about that number. That's crazy.
Having courts open longer hours makes sense. And I would add that the efficient application of the death penalty could also cut down on the need for new space.
Posted on March 2, 2007 1:32 PM