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Hernando Today

Probation violators, drug dealers head inmate list

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By MICHAEL D. BATES

Hernando Today

Published: July 9, 2009

BROOKSVILLE - Probation violators make up the majority of county jail inmates during any given day.

That statistic has remained consistent at least since January 2007.

But who makes up the rest of the population?

Barbara Fisher, the county's corrections program coordinator, has released the latest Hernando County jail inmate census, showing a fluctuating population count the last two years.

The lowest amount of inmates during that time was recorded on April 1, 2009, when 491 people were incarcerated.

The highest was Oct. 1, 2007 with 641 inmates.

As of May 28, 2009, there were 562 inmates at the Hernando County jail with the following charges:

•Probation violation: 270

•Possession and sale of drugs: 161

•Assault and battery: 160

•Burglary: 126

•Theft: 101

•Traffic offenses: 97

•Fraud: 89

••Marijuana offenses: 73

•Sex offenses: 42

•DUI: 41

•Robbery: 37

•Fail to appear: 26

•Homicide: 7

Fisher said the statistics reflect sentenced and unsentenced inmates. Also, a person may have multiple charges, resulting in more charges than inmates.

There has been a downward trend for minor offenses which Fisher attributes to law enforcement issuing notices to appear in court rather than taking the person to jail.

Probation violators usually remain in custody a minimum of 30 days and those charged with battery are usually there for one day, per a judge's order.

To help reduce an anticipated $9.9 million deficit in the 2010 budget, county commissioners have asked CCA to forego its 4 percent annual adjustment built into its contract.

CCA charges $57.18 per day for each inmate. If the 4 percent adjustment is passed, that goes up to $59.46 per day.

The county is also trying to bring in more out-of-county inmates, including federal inmates sent there by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office.

The county would share the proceeds with CCA for out-of-county inmates.

Reporter Michael D. Bates can be reached at 352-544-5290 or mbates@hernandotoday.com.

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