NBC Nightly News - 1991-06-06 - 2 of 2 (audio sync problem)
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Read a transcript preview of “NBC Nightly News - 1991-06-06 - 2 of 2 (audio sync problem)” from malgent, uploaded on 2026-01-09.
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Language: English (original, YouTube automatic captions)
[0:00] The study shows that 27% of those freed
[0:03] never show up. What is more, 18% are
[0:07] rearrested for other crimes. All this is
[0:10] costing taxpayers millions of dollars.
[0:14] >> At a very minimum, it's going to cost
[0:16] the taxpayers approximately $500 per
[0:19] year.
[0:23] >> Courts overwhelmed by waves of new
[0:26] arrests are at the heart of the problem.
[0:29] Stiff orders to relieve prison
[0:31] overcrowding mean big mistakes are being
[0:34] made in screening out risky defendants.
[0:37] One of the bestrun pre-trial release
[0:39] programs in the nation is right here in
[0:40] the Florida Keys, Monroe County. But
[0:43] even here, jail overcrowding brings
[0:45] pressure in determining who will be set
[0:47] free.
[0:48] >> We're under in effect a closure order by
[0:50] the federal judge of 196 people in our
[0:54] county jail. If we exceed that number,
[0:57] we're ordered to release two for
[0:59] everyone who enters into the system.
[1:02] >> It's the law. I mean, we have to do
[1:04] what's fair.
[1:05] >> What's fair, she says, is freeing all
[1:08] those accused who won't threaten
[1:09] society. Making that determination is
[1:12] tough.
[1:13] >> And what about the violation of
[1:15] probation regarding
[1:16] >> Manuel Miranda wants out even though
[1:18] he's accused of selling cocaine.
[1:21] Westerfield says she will recommend that
[1:23] he be freed pending trial.
[1:26] >> You can't really put a price tag on
[1:27] people's freedom. You know, you have to
[1:30] remember that all these people have not
[1:31] been convicted of any crime.
[1:35] >> But Assembly line justice is bearing
[1:37] down, exerting at least two kinds of
[1:39] pressure. To arrest suspected criminals
[1:42] and put them away, and not to curtail
[1:45] their civi