| Detention
Facility The Sarasota
County Jail is over capacity and must be replaced. Increased
county population, new laws and mandatory sentences have
contributed to jail crowding. The Sarasota County Jail has had
two major renovations jail to add capacity and can’t be further
expanded. Diversion programs, alternative sentencing and
expedited case process have helped reduce the jail's population,
but can’t eliminate jail over-crowding.
The current jail is an
out-of-date facility and doesn’t meet current needs for public
safety, or the requirements of the Sheriff’s Office, law
enforcement agencies or the court system. The inefficient
operation of the current jail also requires additional staffing
and funding.
Jail space limitations also
restrict the availability of treatment and rehabilitation
programs that help reduce re-arrests and the number of future
crime victims. The current jail also faces the possible loss of
accreditation and increases county liability. Continual jail
crowding also may lead to forced early prisoner releases.
A new Sarasota County jail is
needed to help assure public safety. The Sheriff’s Office, law
enforcement agencies and the courts also need a jail that
enables them to carry out their own their responsibilities.
Detention
Facility Agendas and Minutes
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