Report: Crime at Decade Low in Franklin County
Chambersburg, Pa. - The number of inmates and crimes is at a decade low in Franklin County.
In newly-released prison report, county officials looked at data from 1998-2008. It shows particularly sharp drops in crime in 2007 and 2008.
Warden John Wetzel says that was shortly after initiatives like the Day Reporting Center and weekend DUI offender programs were launched, and the new jail was built.
"We do programs that address criminal thinking, stress and anger, job skills programs,” he said. “Because we know when people get out of jail and are employed they have a significantly less chance of committing more crimes."
The jail has a capacity of 470, but it currently housing 298 inmates. It's hoping to begin leasing some of those empty beds to the state prison system, which would bring money back to Franklin County's criminal justice programs.
By Megan Healey, ABC27 News
