To the Editor:

What was the Legislature’s incarceration policy when it became fiscally responsible for county jails?

Similar to education, the Legislature usurped county control by promising funding, made it law, and then failed in its fiscal commitment. Now they’ve created a committee to make credible their bandage methodology, versus developing a long-term refurbishment program for our very costly, arcane county incarceration system.

There is no long-range statecounty incarceration policy; yet, without it, any tax revenues spent are just chaotically fidgeted. Without it, there is no required coordination of governmental stakeholders or the benefits they supply (county governments, state police, the judiciary, and educational, health and corrections systems).

If the state is to be in control, as citizens, we need the Legislature to have a longrange policy that at least considers and coordinates all areas of incarceration expenditures: capital, operations, maintenance, transportation and recidivism programs.

Additionally, the state should utilize advanced technology to lower costs and improve safety: more monitoring of inmates electronically, eliminating jail-to-court transportation for indictments through video proceedings, consolidating health and meal programs, improving educational training and degree opportunities, and communicating with families through telecommunications, etc.

Moreover, from 30,000 feet, why do we need a full-service, incarceration facility located in most of our 16 counties? We don’t. Strategically located, three will do.

The Legislature should stop dithering and determine a county incarceration policy and a long-term, 20 year, plan; anticipate the total required funding and solve this issue rather than “kicking the can” and protecting turf — again.

Stephen Gorden
Yar mouth