Sheriff to work on illegal aliens plan
County supervisors take action to find solution to overcrowding of jail facilities
By GRETCHEN LOSI/Staff Writer
SAN BERNARDINO — The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors directed the sheriff's department on Tuesday to formulate a plan to address the issue of illegal aliens in the county's jail system.
Sheriff Gary Penrod said he is excited about the opportunity to deal with a problem that's contributing to the current overcrowding of the jail system.
"I'm encouraged by the board's show of support. This is something we want to do," Penrod said. "We've been talking about this for quite a while. It opens the door for us to look at some options."
The action was taken to find a solution to the overcrowding of the county's jail facilities, which according to recent county statistics houses 15 to 20 percent illegal citizens.
Though the plan is still in its infancy, Penrod said options include the addition of either U.S. Border Patrol officials or their own trained staff in the jails to identify inmates who are in violation of federal immigration laws.
A closer working relationship between county law enforcement and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents would also be established.
"Illegal immigration is an issue that's being addressed every day in the news. Our constituents want the county to step up in combating the problem," Matt Brown, chief of staff for Second District Supervisor Paul Biane said.
Once the inmates are identified as illegal aliens, they could be remanded to federal custody for possible deportation and or prosecution on federal immigration charges.
Once in the federal system, the county would receive additional funding.
"We know we aren't getting an accurate count on the amount of aliens we are booking in the system. Last year we only recovered some $40,000 in federal revenue and Riverside County, a smaller jail system, recovered three times that amount," Penrod said.
Penrod said the inmates would serve their full sentence, after which they would be deported back to their country of origin.
Penrod said this could help lower the number of repeat offenders on the streets.
"The idea is that most criminals are repeat offenders. By identifying them, they will do their time and go back to their home country ... not back to our streets," Penrod said.
County Chairman Bill Postmus said the way the county plans to address the problem would leave no room for racial profiling.
"(Law enforcement) will not begin screening law abiding citizens in the community. It will be conducted with inmates already in the system," Postmus said.
Penrod said he will be returning to the board in 60 days with his proposal. If approved, he anticipates it to be implemented by the end of the year.
Gretchen Losi may be reached at 951-6233 or gretchen_losi@link.freedom.com.
http://www.vvdailypress.com/2005/111642207467355.html
County supervisors take action to find solution to overcrowding of jail facilities
By GRETCHEN LOSI/Staff Writer
SAN BERNARDINO — The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors directed the sheriff's department on Tuesday to formulate a plan to address the issue of illegal aliens in the county's jail system.
Sheriff Gary Penrod said he is excited about the opportunity to deal with a problem that's contributing to the current overcrowding of the jail system.
"I'm encouraged by the board's show of support. This is something we want to do," Penrod said. "We've been talking about this for quite a while. It opens the door for us to look at some options."
The action was taken to find a solution to the overcrowding of the county's jail facilities, which according to recent county statistics houses 15 to 20 percent illegal citizens.
Though the plan is still in its infancy, Penrod said options include the addition of either U.S. Border Patrol officials or their own trained staff in the jails to identify inmates who are in violation of federal immigration laws.
A closer working relationship between county law enforcement and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents would also be established.
"Illegal immigration is an issue that's being addressed every day in the news. Our constituents want the county to step up in combating the problem," Matt Brown, chief of staff for Second District Supervisor Paul Biane said.
Once the inmates are identified as illegal aliens, they could be remanded to federal custody for possible deportation and or prosecution on federal immigration charges.
Once in the federal system, the county would receive additional funding.
"We know we aren't getting an accurate count on the amount of aliens we are booking in the system. Last year we only recovered some $40,000 in federal revenue and Riverside County, a smaller jail system, recovered three times that amount," Penrod said.
Penrod said the inmates would serve their full sentence, after which they would be deported back to their country of origin.
Penrod said this could help lower the number of repeat offenders on the streets.
"The idea is that most criminals are repeat offenders. By identifying them, they will do their time and go back to their home country ... not back to our streets," Penrod said.
County Chairman Bill Postmus said the way the county plans to address the problem would leave no room for racial profiling.
"(Law enforcement) will not begin screening law abiding citizens in the community. It will be conducted with inmates already in the system," Postmus said.
Penrod said he will be returning to the board in 60 days with his proposal. If approved, he anticipates it to be implemented by the end of the year.
Gretchen Losi may be reached at 951-6233 or gretchen_losi@link.freedom.com.
http://www.vvdailypress.com/2005/111642207467355.html