Fewer people are housed in the La Porte County Jail since a new state law took effect. Under the law, more people who can’t afford to post bond can be released on their own recognizance.

Steve Eyrick, Chief Probation Officer in La Porte Circuit Court says his office is interviewing offenders to decide which ones should be released while their cases are still pending in court.

Eyrick says offenders who pose more of a concern are not considered. He says the jail population has dropped from 385 to 346 since the state law went into effect January 1st.