Overcrowded Jails Bill Easily Clears Indiana House

Unable to load the audio player.
You could try direct download?

Original story from IPBS-RJC

Brandon Smith

Article origination IPBS-RJC

The Indiana House approved legislation Monday whose author says will, as he puts it, “ease the pressure” on overcrowded jails.

The bill would allow overcrowded county jails to move low-level, nonviolent felons to regional facilities run by the Department of Correction. About half of the state’s county jails are over capacity.

But Rep. Matt Pierce (D-Bloomington) says the bill doesn’t get to the real problem. He says the vast majority of people in county jails aren’t low-level felons.

“We have a lot of people in the county jails that are awaiting trial," Pierce says. "They’ve not yet been convicted but they can’t make bail.”

Rep. Randy Frye (R-Greensburg) acknowledges his bill isn’t a silver bullet.

“It isn’t going to solve all jail overcrowding," Frye says. "But it will certainly ease the pressure on our jails.”

The House approved the bill 74-17. The measure now goes to the Senate.

Support independent journalism today. You rely on WFYI to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Donate to power our nonprofit reporting today. Give now.

The Secret Service is investigating how a gunman who shot and injured Trump was able to get so close

The U.S. Secret Service is investigating how a gunman armed with an AR-style rifle was able to get close enough to shoot and injure former President Donald Trump at his rally in Pennsylvania.

Public Affairs / July 2, 2024

GOP US Rep. Spartz, of Indiana, charged with bringing gun through airport security, officials say

Authorities say Indiana Republican U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz has been charged with bringing a firearm through airport security. Airport officials said Monday she was charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor. Spartz's office says she was traveling to Europe and mistakenly carried an unloaded handgun in the pocket of her suitcase while going through security at Washington Dulles International Airport. Spartz is a staunch Second Amendment Republican representing central Indiana. She won her primary in May after saying last year that she would retire from congress. The charge carries up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine if convicted.