ORLANDO, Fla. – Law enforcement leaders, mental and physical health officials, homeless advocates and legal experts convened Friday for the first in a series of meetings to look into the increase in the inmate population at the Orange County Jail.
The roundtable discussions held by the Jail Oversight Commission are meant to improve efficiency in the corrections system and identify ways they can better deal with inmates.
County officials reported that while arrests are up 17% from 2021, overall arrest numbers remain lower than 20 years ago when the county’s population was significantly smaller.
Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith, who sits on the commission, said he hopes to gain a deeper understanding of jail operations and collaborate with other county leaders to improve efficiency.
“I think I just want to learn more about the jail and how the jail works,” Smith said. “Even though with law enforcement and corrections we are brothers in what we do, it’s totally different.”
Smith noted that recent data shows the Orlando Police Department arrests about 2% of the people they interact with.
“That’s very low,” he said. “We are about giving services, just about helping people move along. If you are on someone’s private property, we say, ‘Hey, just move along. Here are some resources out here to help you.’”
Melissa Vickers, public defender for the Ninth Judicial Circuit, said the majority of the county’s jail population is represented by her office, and emphasized the need for increased mental and physical health services for inmates.
“We are seeing inmates with mental health issues that are not being treated,” Vickers said. “We are seeing inmates with physical health problems that are not being treated appropriately.”
Martha Are, CEO of the Homeless Services Network, voiced concerns about the potential impact of new laws on the homeless population.
“I think everyone in the state is concerned about the new no-camping legislation,” Are said.
The Jail Oversight Commission is scheduled to meet again on Feb. 26 at 2 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
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