Last year the Sheriff's budget was $121 million dollars. This year Fresno County Supervisors could only give her $112 million. But Supervisor Bob Waterston thinks Sheriff Mims is making a big mistake releasing inmates early. "She does not have to do this, she has got the money to do this because part of that budget goes until June. If she was even going to consider this I would rather her think about this until after the first of the year because the money is still there."
Undersheriff Jones said the department is relying on a computer to list non-violent offenders eligible for release and then a classification officer reviews the inmate's file to make sure they're not letting a career criminal go. He expects about 40 inmates to be released every day through September 22nd. He realizes it's a dangerous gamble but insists the Sheriff had no choice. "She's told me 'Scott this is the hardest decision I've ever made, this is just driving me crazy but I have to do it.'"
Undersheriff Jones says if the budget cuts get any deeper the Sheriff may have to start releasing prisoners with more serious offenses.
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