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Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Drop-Off Policies Reviewed
By Hailey Heinz
Journal Staff Writer
The Bernalillo County Commission on Tuesday called for a group of officials, nonprofits and others to examine the county jail's late-night release policies and find ways to make them safer.
The move comes in response to criticisms leveled recently by Lt. Gov. Diane Denish. She said the Metropolitan Detention Center's policy of dropping newly released inmates off Downtown late at night puts an already vulnerable population at risk of being preyed on by pimps and drug dealers.
The jail buses people to Fourth Street and Roma about every two hours because, legally, inmates cannot be held after they have bonded out or been released.
"It's a difficult issue," MDC director Ron Torres told the commission. "With every solution come several potential liabilities."
The directors of several advocacy groups for at-risk women addressed the commission and asked for a 24-hour safe area for women, including phones and a law enforcement presence.
Angela Sandoval told the commission about a night five years ago when she was charged with drunken driving and taken to MDC for about 24 hours. She was released about 10:45 p.m. and said she found herself with just 35 cents — not enough for a pay phone. She walked home, sometimes running, the four miles from the drop-off point to her home near 12th and Griegos NW. It took her about 45 minutes, and she was afraid the entire time, she said, especially walking under the Interstate 40 overpass.
Sandoval said she was pleased with Tuesday's meeting and hopeful it will result in change.
"I think we made a dent," she said. "They're aware now of what goes on."
Torres said some changes have already been made since Sandoval's ordeal. There are now phones available to inmates before they get on buses, and they have the option to stay until morning if they want to. He said two or three people each week opt to stay, but most want to get out as soon as they can.
Torres said more short-term changes can be made. He said the jail will ensure inmates sign a form acknowledging they were given the option to stay the night and will put signs in the jail's release area, where free phones are available, reminding people that there are no free phones Downtown.
"We have done some things," he said. "We need to make sure everyone is aware of the options."
The group's findings are set to be presented at the next commission meeting June 23.
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