Reducing Jail Overcrowding with Day Report Centers
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Posted: 8:26 PM Mar 17, 2010
Reducing Jail Overcrowding with Day Report Centers
In Cabell and Wayne counties alone, there are nearly 300 people who could be in jail. But a judge in those people's cases decided they deserve a second chance.
Reporter: Bill Murray
Email Address: bill.murray@wsaz.com
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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- In Cabell and Wayne counties alone, there are nearly 300 people who could be in jail.

But a judge in those people's cases decided they deserve a second chance.

The Western Regional Day Report Center is trying to steer those people in a direction that could change their lives. It includes classroom time on everything from life and parenting skills to addiction rehab.

Cabell County Circuit Judge Dan O'Hanlon is among leaders responsible for the inception of the Day Report Center, which was first discussed in 2005. Cabell and Wayne counties joined forces in 2008. Now, thanks to settlement money with drug companies, the program will go statewide.

"Justice is scales," O'Hanlon said. "When someone does (something) which violates the community's standards of law, it throws the scales out of balance. If they do something back for the community, it brings those scales back to balance, and I think it's very important for people to do that."

The Day Report Center has its own interactive Web site where people can take advantage of the community service portion of the program.

The goals are simple: help participants get people skills, get them back on track and, at the same time, dramatically cut the cost by keeping most non-violent offenders out of jail.

More information is available by going to the Featured Links here at WSAZ.com.

Latest Comments

Posted by: The Truth Is Right! on Mar 24, 2010 at 10:09 AM

I am with you.We need a one strike law.If you break the law like these guys have done then they need to be put in jail and serve their full sentence.It isn't fair!The people that they have hurt are still hurting no matter how long it has been.They have nightmares about their crimes that was done to them etc.They aren't told when these people are even let out on bond.What kind of system do we have?And yet you take a good person driving and maybe is driving just a few miles over the speed limit and well what happens the officers gives them a ticket and takes their money and he knows that they are good people and do you think they should go to jail? No!I give up with our Police and law system in Cabell County.Don't call me if you want a donation for some stupid thing for something you need when you feel that it is right. You don't feel that it is wrong when the criminals do won't or you would put them away instead of trying to get him out of jail after they do these crimes.
Posted by: the truth on Mar 21, 2010 at 11:52 AM

Let's just get to the point. The worst thing that ever happened to this state was the regional jail system. This, along with the failed (state) legal system are directly to blame for the drug and violent-crime ridden state of Huntington. You can put 300 HPD officers on the street, and they will only continue rearresting the same individuals every week. There are multiple instances of offenders who are arrested, released on bond, and rearrested again. These thugs need to be taken off of the street and given harsh (lengthy) prison terms. Granted, day report helps for non-violent offenders, but don't be mistaken, it's a band aid for a real problem which can't be cured by weekly urine screens and daily check-ins. Wake up JOhn Q and don't be manipulated by this embarrasing legal process in Cabell County.
Posted by: Greg on Mar 20, 2010 at 12:37 PM

I Think this is a good program to have, but the second chance needs to be available, or at least be considered, for most of the inmates at western regional. Do some of these people deserve "second chances?" Maybe. But I know for a fact that an inocent man is sitting in jail, and has been for months now, for something he didn't do. It seems that our justice system is based off of "who you know" if your not in the "in-crowd" your out of luck. This guy is my step-father, and we haven't gotten along much in the passed few months, so for me to say he is innocent says a great deal. No matter how bad I might despise someone if they are being treated unfair I will always stand up for them, if they are innocent. My mother is really depressed over this, and although I try to be there for her as much as possible, I have my own family to tend to. Im sure if I had millions of dollars the justice system would treat my family as a VIP. Its said to say that but its true.
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