SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO-AM) Minnehaha County will use a new tool to help filter out people going through the court system who don't need to be jailed.
Sioux Falls City Councilor Christine Erickson was at Tuesday's news conference to announce the adoption of the new risk assessment procedure. She says it will benefit the entire region.
"The intent is that we are locking up those that we are not mad at but that are actually dangerous to the communities." Erickson briefed City Council on Tuesday. She said that it won't cost the taxpayers anything.
The risk assessment tool is one more way to help ease the pressure on the overcrowded Minnehaha County Jail. It will be implemented in the court system in January.
The assessment tool was developed by the Arnold Foundation. It uses multiplie factors to assess whether a criminal defendant is a threat to commit more crime...and if there is a flight risk.