TS - Inmate accidentally released from jail

Inmate accidentally released from jail
The Times-Standard
Article Launched: 08/09/2007 04:15:32 AM PDT

A Humboldt County Jail inmate was accidentally released Friday, and within hours of authorities noticing the mistake Wednesday he was taken back into custody without any problems.

Brenda Godsey of the Humboldt County Sheriff's Departement said Clinton Lee Harris III, 26, was taken into custody about 7:45 p.m. Wednesday when authorities found him at a house on A Street in Arcata.

Harris, who was in custody on rape, burglary and a separate drunken driving charge, was accidentally freed when his name appeared on a list of inmates to be released.

Harris was part of the Sheriff Work Alternative Program for the DUI charge at the time of his April arrest on suspicion of rape and burglary by the Arcata Police Department.

When he was rebooked, the DUI charge was put on his list of charges and he automatically began serving the jail sentence for the DUI.

His DUI sentence was completed Friday, which triggered his appearance on the release list.

”His name came up as he completed his DUI sentence,” said Brenda Godsey of the Sheriff's Department.

Comments from TS site:

he was probably grateful to be out and had every intention and will to go straight with his new found freedom and probably would have while contributing to society by working, paying taxes, purchasing local goods from wherever he was. But instead he is back in jail at the outrageous cost we, the taxpayers have to spend. I think this guy would have been fine if left alone and now we have a expensive tab to pay for years of incarceration along with the grudge he might hold to society; which is the biggest personal crime of all we, as a people, can inflict upon another.
John M | 08.09.07 - 7:50 pm

Yea he wouldn't have been fine out there if it was your daughter, wife, grandchildren or some other female in your life that was raped. You're a moron. I gladly as a tax payer will pay my taxes to keep people like that off the streets.
Anonymous | 08.09.07 - 10:02 pm

The first writer is a humorist, not a moron. Well done, old chap! Bravo!
Free Ramos and Campean | 08.09.07 - 11:06 pm

You know, a description and mug shot of this guy would've been nice.
As a survivor of an assualt and rape I can imagine the fear going through the minds of his vicims.
The writer of the first item I know was being tongue in cheek even if it was a bit tasteless. Over sensitivity isn't my style and we do have a right to express ourselves no matter how inane.
Officer Liles, can ya bag this one for us, too? Hey we all need our heroes!
Rebelle | 08.10.07 - 6:35 pm

What ever happend to being innocent until proven guilty. Who's to say there was really a victim? Im sure he was just as surprised as everyone else to have been released.But is he to be held accountable for that??
APRIL | 08.14.07 - 3:53 pm