Our Smith County Jail is in a crisis of overpopulation and contagion. At last report on 9/15/200 the jail's total population of 1,121 inmates is near its capacity of 1,149 with 64 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases and 300+ inmates in quarantine. There are four confirmed positive COVID-19 cases among jailers. We know that 480 current inmates are being held pre-trial -- not having been convicted of any crime and many simply because they can't afford the bail. Surely some of the 440 inmates are eligible for pre-trial release.
We ask that the Smith County Commissioner's Court direct the Smith County Pre-Trial Release and Bond Office to take proactive steps and immediately begin to "assist in the reduction of overcrowding in the county jail by allowing qualified defendants an opportunity to be released on personal bond while pending disposition of their case." To further facilitate and expedite this process, we ask that the Pre-Trial Release and Bond Office be directed to:
1) Identify all those inmates eligible for pre-trial release.
2) See that each eligible inmate is given a Pre-Trial Release Bond Application Form and offered assistance with completing it if needed.
3) Conduct the interview and investigation of each applicant in an expeditious and timely manner.
4) Submit each applicant's pre-trial information to the appropriate judge with urgency.
Why is this important?
Pre-trial release is important because it can potentially avert illness and save lives. We know the risk of contracting COVID-19 rises exponentially with overcrowded conditions. As long as our jail remains at maximum and above capacity, inmates are placed at even greater risk of becoming sick -- with Covid-19 or some other pathogen -- and/or possibly dying. One inmate has died already.
Pre-trial release is important for our families and communities. Surely, many of the eligible pre-trial inmates, if released, would be at home with their families, parenting their children, working to support their families, and contributing to our community’s social and economic well-being.
Pre-trial release is important in that it shows fiduciary responsibility on the part of our county government. It cost Smith County approximately $69 a day to house an inmate. Do the math! If even just 25% of 480 inmates qualify for pre-trial release, that is a savings of $8,280 a day for our county. Monies that could be allocated to other much needed services.
Pre-trial release is important because it is a positive solution for our people, our communities, our government, and our current county jail crisis.
How it will be delivered
In person to the Smith County Commissioner's Court.
