To the editor:

No one has a crystal ball to predict the future. We do know that “wait and see” is not a plan. We need to review the facts and listen to our hearts!

The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council works to improve the criminal justice system in Douglas County. Many new initiatives have come from our endeavors. On average, 150 persons are diverted at any time from jail through pretrial release, house arrest, Behavioral Health Court and district attorney programs.

Yet the jail remains overcrowded. The negative impact of such overcrowding is not only felt by the men and women in jail but by their families and staff as well. The jail is becoming less safe as evidenced by the increase in emergency assistance calls. Women are housed together who have minor to violent crimes. The jail originally planned for eight to 10 women; we average 40. Some women are sleeping on the floor and 40 percent are being housed in other jails far from their families. This breaks my heart!

An average of 60 persons every day are housed in other county jails. Many of these persons would benefit from participating in our nationally recognized re-entry programs which decrease recidivism, but they are elsewhere. How will their future be impacted by not engaging in programs designed to help them succeed?

We may not have a crystal ball, but waiting will only significantly increase the human toll and budget costs.