System Used to Free Prisoners is Criticized

Article taken from The Lima News, August 14, 1936

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  COLUMBUS, Aug. 14 - (AP) - State Examiner C. W. Booth criticized the method of releasing prisoners committed to the Scioto-co jail by the Portsmouth municipal court in a report today to State Auditor Joseph T. Tracy.

  Asserting that prisoners "frequently" were freed on "release slips" signed by the municipal judge. The examiner said:

  "We find no authority in the laws of Ohio authorizing the judge to issue such an order or for the sheriff to release the prisoners on such an order."

  Examiner Booth explained that the only way in which the prisoners can be freed legally is by payment of the fine and costs or by parole from the county commissioners.