HomeLocal NewsSAFE-T Act Results in Large Number of Prisoner Releases Some Places; Not White County

SAFE-T Act Results in Large Number of Prisoner Releases Some Places; Not White County

Mon, September 18, 2023 by Jc Tinsley

While about 60 inmates were released over the weekend in Williamson County, White County Sheriff Jordan Weiss says only one individual behind bars at the jail here wasn’t eligible for detainment under the SAFE-T Act which takes effect today throughout Illinois. The jail roster in Carmi is just over 60 right now and Weiss says his department does a good job getting detainments on individuals that they can in the county. The jail in Williamson County had about 163 people in custody as of Wednesday last week according to reports. Officials there said they expected as many as 85 would be released. Illinois is becoming the first state in the US to eliminate cash bail as a condition of pre-trial release from jail. The Supreme Court of Illinois upheld the constitutionality of the law absolishing it in June.

3 comments

R G.
September 18, 2023 at 1:51 pm
Well you will soon reap the whirlwind for getting rid of cash bail. Sort of like letting all those prisoners out because of COVID. IF masks work then why let them out?
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OO Buckshot
September 18, 2023 at 2:44 pm
Sad our State has “went down the tube” ON several important things in just this last year,
and this being one. REMEMBER WHEN YOU VOTE!
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Bondsman Williamson County Inmate Search
March 22, 2024 at 7:25 am
The implementation of the SAFE-T Act in Illinois, particularly its role in reforming the cash bail system, marks a significant step toward a more equitable justice system. The act’s effect in various counties, including the contrast between the large number of releases in Williamson County and the minimal impact in White County, underscores the diverse challenges and outcomes faced by different jurisdictions. Sheriff Jordan Weiss’s remarks highlight the nuanced approach required in law enforcement and judicial processes to align with new legislation while ensuring public safety. This law’s enactment, supported by the Illinois Supreme Court’s affirmation, signifies a progressive move toward reducing pretrial incarceration, especially for those unable to afford bail, and sets a precedent for other states to consider similar reforms.
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