Because the amount of inmates exceeded our existing Jail Capacity of 134 prisoners, in 2007 Forsyth County spent over 2 million dollars to transport & house inmates into detention facilities outside of Forsyth..
Tuesday's public forum on the Jail Bond has been moved across the street, to the county admin building.
Because the amount of inmates exceeded our existing Jail Capacity of 134 prisoners, in 2007 Forsyth County spent over 2 million dollars to transport & house inmates into detention facilities outside of Forsyth.
Spending over 2 million dollars to outsource inmates in 2007 represents:
* 20% increase, compared to 2006
* 236% increase, compared to 2004
In November 2008, registered Forsyth County citizens will have the opportunity to vote for a 75 million dollar bond referendum to build a detention facility designed to house approx 480 inmates.
The Board of Commissioners, staff, and consultants reviewed possible sites & purchased land (on Veterans Memorial Blvd) for the proposed jail. Criteria such as proximity to the Court House was key (minimizing the length of time required to transport inmates from the Court House to the Jail House improves security).
The 1st public forum on Aug 12th was only attended by 0.019% of Forsyth County. Residents of the Wyngate Neighborhood expressed their concern because the land purchased for the proposed jail is located near their community.
If you are not one of the 30 who attended the meeting, watch the video footage posted onwww.cumminghome.com
under the Newsflash Section (thank you, Steve Carter of cumminghome, for helping to keep us updated on the issues!).
Meanwhile....now is the time for us to educate ourselves about the proposed jail & vote accordingly. Before deciding yes or no.....attend the upcoming Forsyth Detention Facility Public Forum:
* 6PM Tues., Aug 26th
(Jail data source: Sheriff's 2007 Annual Report viawww.forsythsheriff.org)