Fewer in jail, more in jobs?

SULLIVAN COUNTY, Ind. (WTHI) - Some offenders in the Wabash Valley could soon avoid jail time and keep their job.

Sullivan County is working to start a house arrest option for some non-violent offenders. County officials said it can both help the economy and ease over-crowding at the jail. both offenders and officials say it's an option long overdue.

Sullivan County inmate Ed Jones is a carpenter by trade. Though on Wednesday he's helping mop. He's due to be released in December after serving a one year sentence for repeated traffic offenses.

"Very devastating for me," said Jones. "More so for my family, my wife and kids."

If he was under house arrest and monitored, Jones may have been able to keep his job, support his family and pay child support.

"It would be a lot better than this," said Jones. "Just to be able to answer simple questions that my kids have every day."

It could help out with another issue. The jail has 20 more prisoners than it's currently rated for.

Prison officials said there's probably a dozen more like Jones who could effectively serve their sentence outside the walls.

As of now, Sullivan County has two options for convicted criminals: jail or probation. House arrest, with ankle monitoring devices and community service, can be an effective middle ground.

"A first time offender, that's not committed a violent crime, if we can have him on the streets cleaning up Sullivan County, that's better for the community rather than spending taxpayer dollars to have him incarcerated in jail," said Sullivan County Prosecutor Bob Hunley.

Chief Probation Officer Barb Lance will run the program. Indiana will provide money to hire two people to monitor offenders. Offenders will pay a daily fee for the bracelets.

"If they are employed and they are working, it would be better to put them on electronic monitoring," said Lance.

So it won't cost county taxpayers a dime. In fact, they will save money with more offenders like Jones out of jail and in jobs.

"I hope the program goes through," said Jones. "It would help a lot of fellows around here and I think it would help the economy around here also."

Sullivan County Commissioner Jim Boes said he's excited about the program possibilities and how it could help keep county highways and parks clean.

Officials hope to get funding by July 1st. Lance said her probation staff could monitor between 20 and 30 offenders.