Illegals population swells Virginia jail

Illegals population swells Virginia jail

(Courtesy, PWC)Prince William County jails are presenting a test case for a state proposal to deny bail to illegal immigrants booked in Virginia's jails.
Dan Genz, The Examiner2007-11-05 08:00:00.0Current rank: # 481 of 12,048 WASHINGTON -
The overcrowded Prince William County Adult Detention Center is presenting a test case for a state proposal to deny bail to illegal immigrants booked in Virginia’s jails.
A new partnership with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement is prohibiting pre-trial release for inmates without legal U.S. residency.
Politicians have strongly supported the measure because it makes it more difficult for suspects to skip trials or commit new crimes. However, jail officials report it is driving the crammed jail population higher as inmates spend more time behind bars.
Gov. Tim Kaine has said he supports a statewide no-bail proposal because illegal residents are considered a higher flight risk, but warned about capacity and cost concerns.
Prince William County Adult Detention Center officials have screened the legal status of more than 700 inmates since the program began this summer, jail superintendent Col. Skip Land said.
Once an inmate has an ICE detainer, unless new evidence proves the inmate is a legal U.S. resident, “he can’t get out,” said Maj. Peter Meletis, director of inmate services.
As of Friday, there were 173 inmates being held on detainers, helping push the inmate population from 954 in September to 1028 on Friday. “As that population grows, everything grows with it,” Land said.
Immigrant advocates are concerned about how long the inmates will be held on detainers, where the inmates will be held and whether immigrants will be treated fairly, said John Steinbach of the Woodbridge Workers Committee.
Prince William County criminal justice officials are trying to expand opportunities to keep inmates out of jail, including an intensive-supervision, pre-trial program.
Eventually, the requirements of holding hundreds of illegal immigrants in jail should persuade state and federal officials to build a regional detention center solely for illegal immigrants, Prince William County Supervisor John Stirrup said. However, a state immigration task force rejected consideration of that plan this year.
While there will be costs associated with the program, Prince William County Chairman Corey Stewart said, “It’s the right thing to do.”
“You got an illegal alien who posts bond and says he’s going to come back? Why would he?” Stewart asked.
dgenz@dcexaminer.com
Examiner