Frequent Offenders Cost Taxpayers Money
They get arrested, post bond and then they’re back on the streets.
The ABC-7 I-Team, through the Public Information Act, found the 28 people most frequently booked into the El Paso County Jail in the last year.
Their repeated visits to the jail are costing taxpayers about $86 for every 24-hour stay.
More than two dozen men and one woman were those most often booked from October 2009 to October 2010.
“All law enforcement can do is arrest them, incarcerate them and take care of them during the time they can’t post bond,” said El Paso County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Jesse Tovar.
The person with the most offenses had 13 in one year. The person with the fewest, seven.
“The consequences of our acts sometimes are not as high per se, or severe, so we continue doing it,” said El Paso psychologist Dr. Carlos Perlasca.
He said there are many reasons why a person commits crimes repeatedly.
“We see a lot of crimes and the tendency is to be grouped in the repeated offender is because it’s the lifestyle,” Perlasca said.
He also explained it’s a cycle caused by addiction or substance abuse.
Several repeat offenders ABC-7 found were arrested on a charge of public intoxication. Two days after, many were booked on the same charge. A week later, many were booked on a charge of public intoxication again.
Sheriff’s officials said in some cases, people who are wanted in connection with several crimes are booked time and time again while they’re still in jail as the clerks scan the system to clear their outstanding warrants.
Perlasca said the cycle for repeat offenders is not likely to change as some people can’t or won’t do enough to break the pattern.
“It’s not very often a person comes here asking for help privately,” Perlasca said.
According to sheriff’s officials, some of those jailed are referred to the El Paso Mental Health and Mental Retardation Center.
Officials with MHMR said they help at least six people referred to them by the Sheriff’s Office every week. Those without insurance can apply for grants the center has to offer.
To take a look at what MHMR has to offer, click here.
