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Bernalillo to Consider Expanding Release Program

Bernalillo County Website

Bernalillo County officials are considering a major expansion of a program that has some offenders released in the community under supervision instead of being housed in jail.

KRQE-TV (http://bit.ly/Tp4NJa ) reports that the County Commission on Tuesday will consider a proposal to provide funding for 500 offenders. That's an increase from the nearly 200 budgeted now.

Under the Community Custody Program, inmates deemed to be low risk are fitted with ankle bracelets and required to submit to drug and alcohol testing.

County officials are considering the expansion proposal partly due to crowding of the county's Metropolitan Detention Center.

Another possibility is adding temporary housing for low-risk offenders. The temporary housing would be constructed next to the detention center.