VERMILLION COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – As jail overcrowding woes continue to impact several counties in the Wabash Valley, a new pretrial release program could lower jail populations.
On January 1st, an amended Criminal Rule 26 will go into effect for all Indiana courts.
Under the rule, a person arrested who does not present a flight risk or danger to others, the court should release them without bail until their next court date.
Through this amendment, a risk assessment would be performed to determine if a person should be released.
Currently 11 counties are used as a pilot programs for the rule including Monroe County, Hamilton County, and Jefferson County.
According to officials, several of these counties have seen a decrease in their jail population through the pilot program.
Others have seen lower-level offenders replaced by those with more serious offenses.
