Florida jail considers electronic monitoring
OCALA (AP) – A central Florida county is considering electronically monitoring nonviolent offenders instead of keeping them in jail.
The Marion County Commission says a pilot program could release some inmates with ankle bracelets would reduce overcrowding at the jail and cut expenses. Inmates would pay the cost of their own supervision.
Commissioners are seeking more information from potential contractors. Some county judges approve the plan, saying “the answer is not always banishment.”
Sheriff Ed Dean says he’ll comply if judges approve the program, but he opposes the idea “if it’s only a way to save money.”
He says an ankle bracelet wouldn’t change behaviors that landed many inmates in jail.