A pre-trial release screening and supervision program that began a year ago has met its goal of reducing overcrowding at the Cole County Jail.
Richard Lee, circuit court marshal for the pre-trial service, told the Cole County Commission on Tuesday that the program has reduced 15,778 bed days in the county jail.
The program calls for each defendant who remained in jail and who is unable to make bond for more than three days, be screened through the pre-trial release coordinator.
The coordinator, with assistance of court marshals, implements supervision services such as call-ins, drug testing, monitor violations, and verification of residency and employment.
For the year, 365 defendants were interviewed in the Cole County Jail, and risk assessment reports were looked at for bond consideration.
Of those interviewed, 53 defendants were released prior to their report being submitted.
The courts reviewed 312 reports and judges granted release to 125 offenders or about 40 percent of the reports submitted.
Prior to the release of the offender on bond, 55 entered pleas of guilty and eight cases were dismissed.
The judges proposed the pre-trial program, and commissioners gave their approval after the commission had concerns about a growing jail population.
Sheriff Greg White said Tuesday the average daily population of the jail is 130, but only 95 are being held for Cole County crimes. The rest are being held for Boone County and the federal court system.
Meanwhile, court officials would like to also expand the electronic shackling program and thus reduce the jail population even more.
Right now, the county is paying $10 a day to monitor an offender, but if the county can get on a contract with the state, that amount could be reduced to as low as $4 to $5 a day.
Commissioners said they would consider this request when they look at the budget later this year.