Baldwin County elected officials should find a way to create a workable community corrections program.

Like many counties in Alabama and across the South, Baldwin County operates a consistently overcrowded jail. Twenty-two other Alabama counties have a community corrections program, in which nonviolent offenders are put into some sort of work situation rather than being incarcerated.

Such programs include close monitoring of the offenders. They may be allowed to go home from a community service job each night or return to a halfway house or holding facility.
 
Counseling, including treatment for substance abuse, may also be required. Offenders must pay fees and a portion of their salaries to keep the program operating.

Last year, legislators introduced a bill authorizing a community corrections program in Baldwin County, but it was killed because of disputes among several elected officials over the language of the bill and how the program would work.

Anything that's resubmitted needs to be agreed upon in advance by everyone who would be involved with the program, including county commissioners, Sheriff Jimmy Johnson and his jail administrators, judges and the district attorney's office. Commissioner Ed Bishop has offered a good suggestion: that a committee representing the parties hash out the details in advance and report back with a recommendation.

Programs like community corrections can relieve overcrowding, cost less money, offer opportunities for counseling and treatment, and turn prisoners into productive, contributing members of society.

As one of the fastest-growing counties in Alabama, Baldwin County should be using this basic, effective alternative to relieve jail overcrowding.