Culpeper inmates serve time at home

Culpeper home-incarceration program saves jail space and forces offenders to literally pay their debt to society

BY DONNIE JOHNSTON

Date published: 8/23/2009

BY DONNIE JOHNSTON

Culpeper County has started a program in which nonviolent offenders literally become prisoners in their own homes.

The hope is that it will save everybody--especially the county--big bucks.

Under the new plan, courts are allowing selected offenders to stay at home and keep working at their jobs while they pay their debt to society. These people will be electronically monitored using Global Positioning System tracking--and will pay for the privilege of not being locked in a jail cell.

"The program is another tool for our office as we provide services to the community," said Culpeper Sheriff Jim Branch. "Of interest to the taxpayer, those who meet the selection process and qualify for the program will be responsible for its payment."

Those selected to participate in the program pay $91 a week, plus an alcohol-monitoring fee if applicable.

Offenders essentially pay for their own incarceration and, by remaining employed, can pay court costs, fines and victim restitution quicker.

The program also helps Culpeper County, which is now renting space from other state jails for about 30 prisoners because demand has long since exceeded capacity at its own facility.

Renovated in 1988 to hold 37 inmates, the Culpeper jail now houses 74 prisoners. Branch expects incarceration rates to rise by 35 percent in the next four years.

Plans to build a new jail on the Coffeewood Correctional Center campus near Mitchells have been put on hold because of state budget cuts.

"While this program will help free up some bed space in our facility, it should be viewed as another option as we deal with the overcrowding problem in its totality," Branch said.

"While we will strive to make this program a success, in all probability it will not have a significant impact on the need for a modern facility, which Culpeper County has needed for some time," he added.

Offenders in the program must wear electronic ankle bracelets at all times. The Sheriff's Office has access to their homes, and authorities must be able to reach offenders at all times by telephone. Any violation will likely send the offender to a jail cell.

"For those who have concerns of safety in the community, keep in mind that the individuals participating in this program must be nonviolent offenders, who may participate if court-ordered," Branch said.

Those convicted of such offenses as murder, robbery, kidnapping, assault, some drug-related offenses and felony sexual assault are not eligible for the program.

"The selection process is extensive, as is the monitoring process," said Branch. "First and foremost, our mission and goal is to ensure the safety of our community, and this has been in mind as the program has gone through development."

The program went into effect July 1 and so far has had one participant, who successfully completed his sentence.

Donnie Johnston:
Email: djohnston@freelancestar.com

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Date published: 8/23/2009