Overcrowded Jails

January 09, 2020

Nearly half of the county jails in Indiana are overcrowded. The reasons are complicated, but in some areas the problem is getting worse. There’s been debate for years about why it’s happening, and what to do about it.

A state task force was formed to study the issue, and the group recently released a report about what they found. Today we talk to members of that group. Is building more jails a lasting cure, or just a band-aid? And as more jails are faced with mental health and drug addiction issues, what should a jail’s role be?

Produced by Drew Daudelin.

Guests:

Steven David
Indiana Supreme Court Justice, Chair of Jail Overcrowding Task Force

Randy Frye
Indiana State Representative, District 67

Greg Steuerwald
Indiana State Representative, District 40

Brett Clark
Hendricks County Sheriff

Doug Huntsinger
Incoming Indiana Executive Director for Drug Prevention, Treatment and Enforcement

Bernice Corley
Executive Director, Indiana Public Defender Council