More than 5 Years in a Chicago Jail Awaiting Trial

Speedy Justice does not seem to extend to Chicago where 36 inmates have
languished in jail for more than 5 years while
430 others have been waiting at least 2 years according to an article
in the Chicago Sun-Times.

The irony is that those at Guantanamo have lawyers screaming about the injustice while those
in Chicago get little or no attention. Yes, we have speedy trial laws, but we also have defense counsel
and prosecutors getting extensions and no judges to hear the cases.

Hurricane Katrina brought to light the problems with the criminal justice system and the
unavailability of defense counsel in New Orleans. It usually takes a newspaper and some investigative
reporting before there is any public awareness.

Long-term jail inmates are often involved in jail violence. Millions of dollars are spent on
food, guards, and other expenses.

The long-term offender mentioned in the article is charged with murder. If he is found guilty,
he needs to be in prison and not in a jail with petty offenders.

The blame in Chicago is put on the lack of judges. Something needs to be done in Chicago and
everywhere else in our country whenever the system is found lacking.