JAIL OVERCROWDING IN NORTHWEST FLORIDA

In response to the threat of the coronavirus pandemic First Judicial Circuit State Attorney Bill Eddins, says his office is working to reduce jail overcrowding. Eddins says with a drop in crime fewer people are being arrested, while those incarcerated for low-level crimes are getting out of jail. Eddins also said he didn’t expect operations at the MC Blanchard Judicial Center to get back to normal for an entire year due to the back log, but is now he is more optimistic and thinks that time may be reduced to six months.