Like many other governmental agencies across the nation, the Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government has faced chronic jail crowding (the 1,793-bed Louisville jail is consistently at capacity), increased costs and related challenges. To develop solutions for issues the local criminal justice system faced, a group of local criminal justice stakeholders and government leaders – called the Louisville Metro Criminal Justice Commission – was appointed. After examining its options, the commission came up with a number of recommendations, including implementation of a day reporting program. BI Incorporated was chosen to open and operate the program, using a federal Justice Assistance Grant. After opening in March, the program quickly reached its 75-participant capacity as word of the program spread.
A recently completed case study highlights the goals, early results and future plans for the Day Reporting program.