Montgomery inmate population down since major 2006 spike

Montgomery County jails have seen a drop-off in inmate population after its peak 18 months ago. Officials credit a change in mind-set that puts more low-risk defendants and offenders on bail or home confinement.

When Montgomery’s jail population hit its high-water mark of about 1,100 daily inmates in summer 2006, there was no corresponding jumps in arrests or significant increases in the crime rate.