FORT COLLINS — Budget restrictions are forcing Larimer County to consider limiting the number of inmates housed at the local jail and changing the criteria for who gets incarcerated.
The proposal being considered this week may mean that people who would’ve normally been jailed will be on the streets.
“There are lots of people who should be incarcerated who won’t be,” said Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden, who pitched the proposal to the Larimer County Criminal Justice Advisory Committee. “They will either be released on the front end or let out on the back end, or both. I think we need a combination of both.”
Alderden is implementing a 460-person limit at the jail, meaning about 73 inmates would have to be released this week. If the proposal is approved, only some criminal offenders would be jailed. Those would include suspects for the most serious felonies, such as Class 1, 2 or 3. People believed to be a danger to the community or a victim or witness of a crime would also be jailed, as well as people who have warrants or who don’t have identification.
The committee is also considering bonding alternatives, and alternative sentencing, such as work-release programs or having some inmates serve time on the weekends.
Another option being considered is making inmates eligible for alternative sentencing sooner.
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Information from: Fort Collins Coloradoan,
