By C1 Staff
ABILENE, Texas — A new cause for overcrowding issues in the Taylor County Jail are those who opt for jail time instead of paying city citations.
KTXS reports that the jail has seen inmate population jump from 511 to 585 inmates daily, all due to people who decide sitting in a cell is easier than writing a check.
Many offenders are given the opportunity to set up a payment plan with the court, but many decide that they either can’t afford it or simply choose to not pay the fine.
Warrants are then issued for those who don’t pay and they are then arrested.
This is adding more strain to the jail due to understaffing; the state requires one corrections officer per 48 inmates. Once the count goes above 48, the jail must add another officer, and this is causing many to work overtime.
The jail has increased the cost to the city and other agencies for housing inmates to $38 a day, but this won’t go into effect until October.