By By ANDY HAMILTON / Niles Daily Star
LANSING - Berrien County Sheriff Paul L. Bailey has been appointed to serve on two committees.
The announcement was made by Michigan Sheriff's Association (MSA) President Gary Finstrom. Bailey will serve on the Secondary Road Patrol Committee and has also been re-appointed to serve on the Jail Committee.
The Secondary Road Committee works with the Office of Highway Safety Planning on traffic-safety related issues. The Jail Committee is concerned with issues related to community corrections, in particular, limited jail capacity and overcrowding.
Bailey told the Niles Township board of trustees Monday night he meets with a task force on jail overcrowding once a week regarding issues with the Berrien County Jail. Berrien County is facing jail capacity problems “just like every other county in the state,” Bailey said.
The facility in St. Joseph can hold up to 341 people and has had to find ways to make room for more serious offenders, including occasionally allowing non-sentenced individuals to be released on cheaper bonds, Bailey said.
Upon the appointment of Bailey, MSA Executive Director Terrence L. Jungel said, “We are grateful to Sheriff Bailey for volunteering his time to assist MSA and Michigan's 83 sheriffs on these important issues.”
The MSA is the official professional organization of Michigan's 83 sheriffs, providing training to sheriffs and their personnel throughout the year. For more information, or to become a citizen or business member, visit the Web site at www.michigansheriff.com.