March 21, 2010

A look inside the Fresno County Jail, as inmates wait for early release

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By Preston Phillips

Story Published: Sep 5, 2008 at 12:31 AM EDT

Story Updated: Sep 5, 2008 at 3:42 PM EDT

Fresno County inmates were on pins and needles Thursday, each one, hoping they'd be one of the several hundred scheduled for early release.

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Since Tuesday, Sheriff Margaret Mims has signed off on the early release of 38 inmates, with the intention of releasing at least 800 more.

Some pods have already been emptied, mattresses removed from the bunks.

But there is still quite a ways to go.

Fresno county supervisor Henry Perea says by Tuesday, the board should have the funds the sheriff needs, to keep her from having to shut down any floors, release any more inmates or lay off any correctional officers.

Undersheriff Scott Jones says, while the $2,800,000 would be nice, it still wouldn't be enough to keep the sheriff from moving forward with her plan.

Something Perea says would be completely unnecessary, given that Mims already has a budget, sufficient to deal with the to deal with the current issue at hand.

On Friday, Mayor Alan Autry has scheduled to hold a special closed session meeting with the Fresno City Council to discuss placing an injunction on the sheriff and or county to keep them from releasing any more inmates.

For Preston Phillips’ full story, click on the video link above.

Next article Fire Destroys Fresno County Home

View Oldest Comments First

Friday, Mar 19 at 5:39 PM sally789........ wrote ...

please dont let out the people that killed some one or dont let out the sex offinders please dont ..... cause that will be more dangerouse to every one in the communities and for the kids ........ so pleaser really read this i will apreaciate if you do ......

Friday, Jan 29 at 11:07 PM Stephanie Vera wrote ...

Yeah i feel that sheriff mims should let inmates out like my spouse who never had any records on him but this one thing he did was not that big of a deal like other crimes that are ten times worse and they been released me and my loves of my life have three beautyful children that are waiting for their dad to come home we miss him so much and he has a bad heart condition and takes meds.everyday for the rest of his life and the meds of fresno county does give him what he needs.For one thing let .

Sunday, Jan 24 at 12:07 AM foreverfaithful wrote ...

I believe that anyone can change withthe help of others! my husband! is a good hardworking man, who loves his famil, and is stuck rotting away for some rediculous charge.i believe that the really serious charges should stnd but the lesser charges like some DV cases(not all), drugs, small things.. and only those who have stayed away from trouble.. should be let go.. me and my kids cry everyday for him to come home, without him there is no one to protect me and the kids from all of those people

Tuesday, May 19 at 10:38 PM Erica, mother of 6 wrote ...

I agree with the decision to let out some inmates. My husband is currently in jail for a ridiculous charge and was sentenced to 8 months. He missed his son being born and I've had to take care of 6 children, financially, alone. It makes no sense to lock up men for this amount of time, for a misdemeanor charge. Without his income we lost our home and had to start all over again. If they care so much about this city, let the men who were taking care of their responsibilities and their children, go

Wednesday, Apr 22 at 12:20 PM sally wrote ...

i agree keep the murders ,rapist,the most serious offenders ,the drug offenders give programs to help them..

Wednesday, Apr 15 at 4:26 PM Concerned wrote ...

They should not release any inmates because most likily once they are released, they will be back next week for doing another crime. All we are doing is letting them get away for their crimes.

Monday, Sep 29 at 12:19 AM a concerned soon to be mother wrote ...

i think that the mayor should let out the inmates that arent in there for serious crimes or who are not sentenced yet. i think that the city and the county should relase as many inmates and not just come up with the money that they say they didnt have in the first place. my husband is in jail and awaiting trial and his baby is on the way. he will most likely not get to to see his child born because of the jail system and he dont have a serioes crime either..... somthing to think about.

Saturday, Sep 13 at 3:27 PM SCOTT wrote ...

PLEASE JUST DON'T LET OUT THE SEX OFFENDERS.

Friday, Sep 12 at 10:35 AM Bubba wrote ...

go back to being on t.v not mayor sorry

Thursday, Sep 11 at 4:23 PM economy women wrote ...

this is how I feel, as long as the ones they release are not murders, rapists...release them....also for bubba mr. heat of the night-how would you feel if it was someone you cared about cant be released????there is no way to come up with that about of money???that is a shame immates are praying they can get out soon to be with there families...other cities release non-violent crimes immates....some do not need to be there, so bubba release them.you was so fair on the heat of the night.

Sunday, Sep 7 at 4:53 AM Richard Aguilar wrote ...

I don't understand how it is the business of the Mayor to ask the city council to the injunction when it is the county that has more authority over the city. The city is within the County, that's the problem, the city keeps butting in where it don't need to be. I agree with Sheriff Mims in releasing inmates, some don't even need to be there, the ones that should be there are those with serious crimes should remain there. Hell the mayor can't even run the city right, he should focus on that 1st.

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