Reopen Oxbow Jail
In the recent past, the County Council has resisted calls to reopen the shuttered Oxbow Jail in favor of more alternative sentencing schemes for the least dangerous inmates. But that strategy is beginning to wear thin.
The county jail recently had to begin granting early releases to inmates guilty of serious class A misdemeanors because of overcrowding. The releases were few in number, but they represent a watershed. In a county that is growing rapidly, it is naive to think the number of criminals will not also grow. Eventually, even creative and effective alternative sentencing programs won't keep the county from having to find more traditional jail beds for the worst offenders.
Salt Lake County is lucky in that it already has the 560-bed Oxbow Jail, which was shut down in 2003 to save money but which has been maintained in decent shape. Sheriff Jim Winder has lobbied hard to get the county to reopen the facility. His predecessor, former sheriff Aaron Kennard, did so when he was in office, as well. It's time people listened.
Sure, it would cost millions per year to operate the facility. In 2006, the cost of reopening only a portion of Oxbow was estimated to be about $3.2 million per year. But that is the price people must be willing to bear.
This isn't the county's first run-in with early prisoner releases. But it is important to recall that problems have occurred in the past. For instance, in 1995, intense overcrowding pressures were blamed when the jail allowed a dangerous child rapist to leave before jailers could verify his identification. The man, who originally was from New York, had used a fake identification and had been picked up on minor shoplifting charges. At the time, a sheriff's spokesman said deputies would have been more inclined to question the I.D. under a less "pressurized" system.
Information travels more quickly today, but the pressure to release, if it intensifies, could lead to sloppiness.
We note with optimism that some County Council members appear to be softening toward Oxbow. If nothing else, the bad publicity that comes from sending inmates home early ought to persuade them.
After all, if a get-tough policy is believed to discourage crime, it follows that a jail with a revolving door would have the opposite effect. Criminals may not be the smartest people, but they probably notice such things.
Recent comments
I think the exbow jail could serve as a work release place.That work...
outside | March 2, 2009 at 8:32 p.m.
Where is oxbow?
Anonymous coward | Sept. 20, 2008 at 12:26 p.m.
Next year the jail and Sheriff's budget will combine to be more than...
sodiedog | Aug. 4, 2008 at 10:44 a.m.
- Trial begins in Hilton contract 12:57 p.m.
- Clippers sign No. 1 pick Griffin 12:50 p.m.
- MLB fans feel priced out at ballpark 12:48 p.m.
- GM sale cleared 12:47 p.m.
- House passes food stamps bill 12:33 p.m.
- Utah man to serve 4 years for fraud 12:26 p.m.
- U.S. to launch $15B food initiative 12:06 p.m.
- Violence hits Iraq 12:04 p.m.
- What's it worth? 11:53 a.m.
- Pistons pick Kuester as new coach 11:26 a.m.
- Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
- Utah's top 10: Wealth of recreation
- MWC, WAC rushed into BCS
- O'Connor unhappy Fes not with team
- Teen injured in fall from waterfall
- River flow marks birth of sanctuary
- Keeping golf light on the wallet
- Fatigued Jazz no match for Pacers
- Murder charge filed in shooting
- Jazz payroll is $3.1 million over tax
- Letters: Palin mistreated
134 - Teachers struggle with district cuts
133 - Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
132 - 'Tea party' protesters unhappy
107 - Fairness of BCS debated
81 - Stadium of Fire lights up the 4th
78 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
75 - Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett
71 - Millsap not franchise player
70 - Services bids farewell to Jackson
70
Through the years, I've always raised eyebrows whenever I tell people...
Sen. Scott Jenkins was name-checked by Jay Leno Monday night during his...
I'd rather look at wind turbines than breathe polluted air caused by the...
Conservatives oppose Food Stamps, is that what they mean by "family values"...
To Anonymous at 12:27, as a member of that dominant religion, I share your...
How sad that all you can see are dollar signs. It takes a perceptive...
Shut up and go buy a ticket and support your local University!
Chaffetz is a joke and belongs behind a phone at a call-center, not sleeping...
BIRDS ARE SMARTER THAN DOGS! Stop killing them. They are loving feathered...
Nice letter, Corrina.
"County Councils": I wanted to read what you wrote, but your crazy,...
Utah...hmmm that explains alot things. Big Brother is one of the best...


