How Budget Cuts Affect the Criminal Justice System

Local governments across the country are still feeling the effects of a weak economy. Cuts are being made to a number of services. This is extremely evident here in Jefferson County where it was announced that $1 million in funding would not be available for the Treatment Alternatives for Safer Communities programs. Cutting TASC monies will only lead to overcrowding of the jails which are already over-capacity.

So while some believe these cuts are necessary, those that deal with the courts and the jails on a daily basis argue that these are misguided uniformed slashes. In the end, what may have been intended to be cost-saving measures can actually cost governments more money.

Interesting times in which we live.