BERNALILLO COUNTY OFFICIALS CONTINUE WITH EFFORTS TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS AT THE METRO DETENTION CENTER. A CONSULTANT'S REPORT SLAMS THE COUNTY FOR ITS CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. IT SAYS JAIL OVERCROWDING IS PARTLY DUE TO ALL THE NON-VIOLENT OFFENDERS LOCKED UP FOR MINOR CRIMES.
DEPUTY COUNTY MANAGER TOM SWISSTACK SAYS 68 PERCENT OF THOSE INMATES ARE SPECIAL DETENTION CASES. SWISSTACK POINTS OUT THAT THESE ARE THE INMATES WHO DON'T HAVE JOBS OR HOMES TO GO TO WHEN THEY'RE RELEASED FROM JAIL.
SWISSTACK SAYS THE NUMBER OF ADMISSIONS AND LENGTH OF STAY ARE AREAS OFTEN FORGOTTEN IN JAILS. HE SAYS CHANGES CAN ONLY BE MADE IF THE COURTS, THE POLICE, THE D-A AND PUBLIC DEFENDER WORK TOGETHER.
