Communities across the United States are closing their jails due to factors such as bail reform, aging facilities, staffing shortages, and overcrowding. In Illinois, two suburban sheriffs decided to shut down one jail and consolidate the incarcerated population in another jail to save money. The Kendall County jail, with a capacity for 200 people, typically only holds 50-60 county residents, and the sheriff expected that number to drop by 30% with bail reform. A four-year contract was approved to send the shrinking jail population to Kane County’s larger jail, saving Kendall County $1.5 million in the first year. However, the closure of jails can also lead to new problems, such as incarcerated individuals being moved further away from their families and legal counsel.
Similar closures have occurred in New Jersey, where five counties have closed their jails and one is considering closing its jail. Union County signed an agreement to send its 300 incarcerated people to nearby Newark to be detained in the Essex County jail, resulting in cost savings for Union County. The closure of jails can be seen as a positive step towards reducing mass incarceration, but it can also be viewed as a symbol of the resilience of mass incarceration. Some reform-minded sheriffs may even profit from these changes, advocating for more “safe” jails.
Bail reform has also had an impact in New York, where jail populations decreased by 20-30% in the first month after the reform took effect. Some counties have converted empty jail space into homeless shelters. However, some counties in upstate New York are still pushing for jail expansion despite the falling number of incarcerated people. Activists argue against jail expansion, citing the global trend towards decarceration.
While some sheriffs promote themselves as reformers and implement innovative programs in their jails, critics question whether these efforts are sincere or merely a rebranding of incarceration. The punitive court system and long terms of incarceration continue to be the common responses to issues such as drug addiction, poverty, and gun violence in impacted communities.
