SJC Exchange Library

The report is designed as a guide to help local policymakers and advocates push back against proposals to expand the county jail (or build a new one). It's built around a list of 33 questions to ask jail administrators, sheriff departments, and prosecutors about how the jail is currently being used, and what measures have - or have not - been taken to reduce the population before considering construction. Of particular relevance to this group, this includes strategies to reduce to pretrial detention. The report also includes helpful graphics, relevant research findings, policy recommendations, and examples of local and state governments successfully implementing alternatives to a new or bigger jail.
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