Sheriff Tom Knight says a new jail will not solve jail overcrowding
Quote:
Originally Posted by “Jonah Hinebaugh”
The Sarasota County Jail has been overcrowded for 10 years. It is a mix of old and new — outdated layouts, chipping paint and rust in the wings built in 1975 and 1987. Maintenance issues, such as excess buildup in aging pipes (no toilets or sinks), can render entire pods useless — sometimes for months — which poses problems every time the inmate population rises.
There have been conversations surrounding the idea of building a new jail to match Sarasota’s exploding population, but Tom Knight said, “As long as I’m sheriff, I’ll never support a [new] hardened jail [to handle inmate overcrowding] because it’s a tool of the past.”
To reduce jail overcrowding, Knight said judges need to set reasonable bonds and resolve cases quickly, which will reduce the inmate population.
Knight said, “Is there an opportunity for the jail population to go over capacity again, and to have over 1,100 inmates? Absolutely.” However, Knight said that if the jail does get overcrowded again, then mattresses can be laid on the floor for inmates to sleep on, which is what he did last year to solve jail overcrowding.
Knight also wants to mitigate jail overcrowding by sending inmates into community based re-entry programs – and not to jail.
Full story:
https://www.heraldtribune.com/news/2...-is-not-needed
Sheriff Knight said: “My failure will be the jail.”
Quote:
Originally Posted by “Michael Moore Jr.”
Sheriff Tom Knight said, “We don’t go out and mass arrest anymore.”
Still, the jail has exceeded its inmate limit since 2008.
What can be done about an aging and overcrowded jail? The jail has shifted to rehabilitation.
- In 2008, a 250-bed mental health facility was priced at $18 million. It was never built.
- In 2018, a modern jail [that meet's all of the county's needs] is $130 million.
Knight said, “Before I leave office, my failure will be the jail...”
Full story:
https://www.heraldtribune.com/news/2...g-to-panelists
Knight's talking points are solidly in-line with the Democratic Party
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Sheriff Thomas M. Knight
A county jail is an antiquated philosophy of corrections.
Link:
https://www.heraldtribune.com/news/2...ort-after-jail
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Unregistered
My opinion he really is insane and out of touch with reality. Can’t wait til he is gone. He says some really stupid shiz.
Knight's verbatim comments in the Herald-Tribune newspaper are solidly in-line with the Democratic Party, even though he is registered as a Republican (RINO). And now Knight is supporting Kurt Hoffman to run for office as the next sheriff. You cannot make this up.