By C1 Staff
MONROE COUNTY, Ind. — Monroe County will be piloting a new program that they hope will reduce jail overcrowding and keep offenders from missing court appearances.
The Indiana Public Media reports that the program is called pretrial release, which involves probation officers meeting with low-level offenders. The offenders will be screened, and then the officers will recommend whether they should be released to home detention or another community corrections program, rather than keeping them in jail while they await their trial.
New computer systems that can call offenders and remind them of court or probation appointments will also be part of the program.
The program will be funded by a $40,000 grant from the Indiana Supreme Court.
If the program is successful, the Indiana Supreme Court could implement similar measures across the state.