By Denise G. Callahan
Journal-News
MIDDLETOWN, Ohio — Local judges are allowing less people to serve their jail sentences for minor crimes on weekends because of budget constraints and security issues.
For non-violent scofflaws who have nine-to-five jobs, judges in both the common pleas and lower courts have the option of sentencing people to serve their jail time on weekends only. Warren County also allows work release, where people can work during the day and sleep at the jail. Child non-support and OVI cases are usually prime candidates for the programs.
Those in charge of jails in the two counties say the weekend programs can be problematic. Butler County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Tony Dwyer said they take in weekend inmates countywide, but it creates multiple times more work and paperwork for the jail. People smuggling in contraband is also an issue with the short-timers.
Full Story: Weekend-only jail inmates are on the decline