The chiefs believed that the crowding at the county jail had indirectly increased the number of crimes in their cities because of the early release of some inmates and the use of "cite and release" programs, rather than arrest. The chiefs reported that jail overcrowding problems had negatively impacted departmental morale and impeded the recruitment of qualified officers. Jail crowding was viewed by the respondents as the direct result of drug-related and alcohol-related crimes. The most common solution suggested for jail crowding was the building of new facilities and the expansion of existing jail space. The majority of the chiefs maintained that the county jail was not fulfilling its social purpose and that it has become more of a symbolic rather than an effective response to crime. 49 references (Author abstract modified)