Prince William County books 393 illegal immigrants


Illegal immigrants booked at the Prince William Manassas Regional Adult Detention Center are contributing to overcrowding in the jail system. – Examiner file Dan Genz, The Examiner

2008-02-05 08:00:00.0


WASHINGTON -
Nearly 400 illegal immigrants booked at the Prince William Manassas Regional Adult Detention Center have been held for federal immigration violations since a new program started in July.

The unexpectedly large contingent of detained inmates has sent the program’s cost higher than anticipated and has raised concerns about jail overcrowding, overtime costs and questions about which inmates are being subject to deportation.

Originally expected to be capped at no more than 40 inmates a month, the program has averaged 73 inmates per month since September.

The program is now set to cost $1.36 million this year, including detaining 30 extra prisoners in other jails each month due to overcrowding.

By checking the legal status of inmates regardless of the crimes committed, the program has resulted in a “focus shift from serious charges only to include lesser offenses,â€