Bond Payments Now Accepted Online

BANNOCK, ID – A new online bond payment system – the first of its kind – will allow people to pay bonds in Bannock County Jail more easily. The new system will allow anyone to pay a bond from any computer with an Internet connection. Family and friends of inmates will be able to pay bond 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Idaho court records process system, ISTARS, will be responsible for running the new payment system. Payment of bonds online will be made via credit card and will be credited instantly. Traditional methods of paying bond... Read more

Bondsmen Facing Economic Woes

SAN BERNARDINO, CA– Some bondsmen in San Bernardino County are reporting economic stress in the industry. Fewer people have the resources to bail friends and family out of jail. More judges are also permitting cite releases and other solutions for defendants in financial distress, and bondsmen allege that this trend means that company phones ring less often. Authorities note that cite releases – where defendants simply promise to return for court dates and do not have to pay a bond as a surety – are becoming more common in order to control... Read more

Renting Jail

BANDERA, TX – Until Bandera County decided to build its own larger jail, some inmates were being housed in rented jail space in nearby county jails. Some opponents believed the rent system created too many added costs to the prison system. Some critics of the new jail, however, point out that there is already plenty of jail space in nearby county jails, making a new prison an unnecessary expense and wasteful project. Full Story  Read More →

Orange County Jails Infected with Swine Flu

Orange County Jail Superior Court Judge Thomas Goethals temporarily suspended the constitutional rights of inmates in the Orange County jail system due to an outbreak of the swine flu. The jail system was on lockdown with visitation rights  suspended to prevent further spreading of disease. The jail quarantined 25  inmates due to infection. The quarantine was lifted July 30, 2009, and inmates were once again allowed to go to their court hearings.  Read More →