Louisville jail population increases after program halted

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A controversial program in Louisville that allowed a judge to review jail bonds set by others has ended, resulting in a spike in the number of inmates at the city’s detention center.

Metro Corrections Director Mark Bolton told The Courier-Journal (http://cjky.it/1HWavIO) that the reviews began five years ago as a way to prevent overcrowding. Since ending last week, the jail population has increased by 50 inmates.

In addition, Jefferson District Judge Sean Delahanty says the program saved the city millions of dollars.

Jefferson County Attorney Mike O’Connell led the charge to halt the program, saying it released dangerous defendants.

He said the program, which did not take input from prosecutors, had no legal basis and Chief Judge David Holton issued an emergency order March 19 ending the practice.

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Information from: The Courier-Journal, http://www.courier-journal.com

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