Participation in any of the new programs - which would require inmates to wear electronic ankle monitors - would be decided to by county judges, and sentencing would include input from prosecutors, sheriff’s and probation officials. Only those considered the least risk to the public would be considered for the programs.Supervisor Kathy Long, who attended the recent National Association of Counties conference, said many are “struggling with the issue” of overcrowding, which is often is impacted by incarcerated pre-trial inmates. And, “We have three-strikes waiting in jails to see” while the determination is made if the law applies to their particular offenses. “The bottom line, said Long, “is three-strikes has cost us a lot of money.”Long said the new Ventura County programs resulted from a joint effort by “law enforcement, the courts, District Attorney and probation... and the judges agreed it has to be the judges” who decide on bail. “Even a bail of $500 that can’t be paid results in a waste of public resources” when the offender awaiting trial is incarcerated.The first phase of Todd Road Jail was completed in 1995, and the second phase expansion was estimated to cost about $130 million with additional ongoing operating cost of $25 million annually. Jail capacity is 782 with proposed capacity of 1,438 inmates.Long said the new programs “give some more time breathing room.... I’m not going to say there will never be an expansion, but” the how large, at what cost and how to finance would have to considered.The cost to upgrade the work furlough program to allow more participants is potentially $750,000, and the cost of electronic monitoring is “a big deal... nationwide” counties are examining such options, while others, including, noted Long, “a community in Texas of all places!” have implemented same. Another component is prevention, and Long said the county has “done a lot of work with the Annie Casey Foundation” on such programs that have proven successful.
Todd Jail expansion: Supervisors OK programs to ease overcrowding
August 12, 2009
Santa Paula News
With the planned expansion of Todd Road Jail just west of Santa Paula a victim of the state’s budget crisis, Ventura County Supervisors approved a plan that could ease overcrowding through programs for those at the lowest risk.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesWith the planned expansion of Todd Road Jail just west of Santa Paula a victim of the state’s budget crisis, Ventura County Supervisors approved a plan that could ease overcrowding through programs for those at the lowest risk. Supervisors discussed Sheriff Bob Brooks’ proposal at the August 4 meeting that could mean hundreds of jail inmates would be eligible for supervised release.It was estimated that about 200 people could take part in the programs by being sentenced to the alternatives: work furlough for those sentenced to less than 30 days; daily reporting probation for low-risk inmates; and letting go under supervision those who are awaiting trial and can’t afford bail.The programs could be implemented in just a few months, and if successful could prevent for years the expansion of the Todd Road Jail by reducing its population as well as easing overcrowding at the Main Jail located at the Ventura County Government Center. The cost of the programs would be about $1.9 million a year.The county had been planning a multi-million-dollar phased in expansion of Todd Road Jail for years, but the economic crisis and subsequent budget cuts killed the plan, which would have also required ongoing added personnel costs for a higher jail population.Although the official capacity of the Todd Road and Main Jail is about 1,400, their combined daily population is between 1,700 and 1,800 inmates. Those sentenced to the county jail serve one year or less, but looming is the state’s early release of about 42,000 prison inmates, including about 1,200 that are believed would come to Ventura County, putting a further strain on the system if they re-offend.
