In Oct. 2011, California initiated its inmate realignment program, which required that certain inmates who would have once been sentenced to serve time at state run prisons be shifted to the county jails.

Since that time, local detention centers have been dealing with growing pains and many have started to burst at the seams.   The answer to this, according to sheriff's officials, has been to let certain local low-level pre-trial offenders out on their own recognizance;  sentenced inmates are often being released early.

Booked, released and rearrested a week later

36 year-old Chico transient who was arrested on car theft charges last week is once again behind bars.

Authorities say the man had been booked into the Butte County Jail but was released to overcrowded conditions.  Now, he's been rearrested for committing the same crime.

Two days ago a local resident spotted now defendant Michael Murray stealing her car.  The woman was visiting a friend, they said, and she called officers when she saw the man breaking into her vehicle.

Officers said she got a good look at him when he drove off.   Police vehicles were dispatched immediately and started a hot pursuit.  The chase went all through neighboring streets and eventually speeds reached more than 45 miles per hour.

Once the thief realized he had nowhere else to go, he parked the car and made a run for it.  Police say they captured him a short while later.

Officers speculate that Murray thought no one would have noticed the car was missing for several hours.

Jail officials say he's back behind bars and is being held on several different charges including grand theft auto, drug charges and others.   He's currently being detained at the Butte County Jail and the sheriff says he will not be released due to overcrowding.

The sheriff said this type of situation is exactly why he's pushing to have the facility expanded.