How former Springfield Officer Jeffrey Asher is serving his sentence

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Former Springfield Police Officer Jeffrey Asher is out of jail , and is now serving what is called “ Day Reporting.”

Paul Hegarty, the Assistant Superintendent at the Community Safety Center with the Hampden County Sheriff's Department, said that there are specific qualifications someone must meet to be able to serve this type of sentence. Under day reporting, people who committed crimes are allowed to return home, and are permitted to go out into the community (unlike house arrest, where someone has to stay within the confines of their residence at all times).

Still, Hegarty says day reporting is a form of incarceration, and that this type of sentence is very stringent. Asher and others on day reporting have to wear an electronic monitoring device at all times.

Hegarty says that this kind of system is much more cost-effective than keeping people in jail.

“It's less than half the money to keep someone out in the community, and then they're learning to get to their recovery meetings, get an education, follow an itinerary, plan under strict supervision, and that population is less likely to come back to jail,” Hegarty said.

Asher was sentenced to 18 months in jail for beating Melvin Jones, III with a flashlight during a 2009 traffic stop.

People who qualify and have two to six months left on their sentence may be able to serve day reporting. However, any violation brings about an immediate return to jail.