He makes the call when to let a juvenile go home and when to assign one a bed. A youth enters Fresno Juvenile Hall's booking area, but he may not stay long. Overcrowding means that staffers often release those accused of crimes such as vehicle theft and drunken driving to ensure there's space for murder, rape and arson suspects. On this fall afternoon, Cutshall, a senior group counselor, is under pressure to ease the logjam, but a larger problem also looms. The hall, as usual, is overcrowded.
Booking often is busiest on afternoons when school is in session and on weekend nights.
Space has to be made for those accused of murder, rape or arson. That means those accused of drug possession, vehicle theft, burglary, possession of stolen property, fighting and drunken driving are rarely locked up. They are sent home or released with electronic bracelets on their ankles. But he can't dwell on that possibility today. Getting children out of booking is his first priority.