Council Committee Advances Jail Moratorium Resolution

The Indianapolis City-County Council Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee met this week. The group voted to forward a resolution related to a 40-year moratorium on the construction of new jails to the full council.

The measure moved halts jail construction for 40 years and commits to rehabilitation, instead of punishment. It would go into effect after the completion of the Criminal Justice Campus, set to be fully open in 2022. 

Councilor Ethan Evans authored the proposal and says it also aims to dedicate more funding to mental health, healthy food access and education improvement resources.

"By making this pledge, we push ourselves to fight for a future where the quality of life consistently improves and crime is reduced in Indianapolis," Evans said. 

The committee passed a proposal to include police procedural training for members of the citizens police complaint board that is undergoing organizational changes. 

A measure to paint a street mural in support of police was not heard because it lacked a sponsor.