Baltimore jail officials said Wednesday that a trend of more suspects held on high bails is crowding the city?s Central Booking facility , but Mayor Sheila Dixon isn?t too concerned.
“I?m sensitive to placing offenders [to sleep] on the floors of gyms but we?ve got to do what we?ve got to do,” Dixon told the Baltimore City Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Wednesday. “Compared to other countries, our prisons are wonderful ? they?re country clubs.”
Baltimore City State?s Attorney Patricia Jessamy released statistics showing her “War Room” committee — created after the witness intimidation firebombing death of the Dawson family in 2002 — is focusing on repeat violent offenders and singling out the worst for high bail recommendations.
In the first quarter of 2007, 559 offenders were not released before their first court date, compared to 437 in 2006 and 310 in 2005. The second quarter of 2007 also saw increases in successful “War Room” recommendations for high or no bail.
“I have seen a substantial increase in substantial cash bails,” defense attorney Michael Kaminkow said.
But Public Defender Elizabeth Julian cautioned against overcrowding Central Booking.
“If you keep going on like this, you?re going to break the system again,” she said.
