Sheriff's Office to Apply for New Jail Grant

Santa Barbara - December 7th, 2011

The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has passed a resolution authorizing the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office to apply for a new state grant that could potentially secure $80 million dollars to build another jail facility in North County.

The Sheriff’s Office has already secured a $56.3 million dollar grant through the first phase of Assembly Bill 900 to increase jail capacity and reduce the early release of inmates. However, under Phase II of AB 900, Santa Barbara County can reapply for more grant money that would require less of a match on the part of the county.

“I want to applaud the Board of Supervisors for moving forward on this project that, if funded, will positively impact public safety throughout the county,” said Sheriff Bill Brown. “A grant under Phase II would allow us to build a better and more appropriately sized facility for a lower cost to Santa Barbara County taxpayers.”

The amended plan still calls for the construction of a new jail west of Santa Maria at the corner of Black and Betteravia Roads. However, the new facility would feature 376 beds, 72 more than the original plan.

The new plan would also include a medical and mental health correctional treatment center. This is an important addition, given that the County is now assuming the responsibility for hundreds of new prisoners who where previously the responsibility of the State. Many of these will be long-term inmates. This is the result of AB 109, criminal justice realignment legislation which was not in effect at the time the Sheriff’s Office applied for the previous grant under AB900 Phase I.

The California Corrections Standards Authority will make its decision to award conditional grants by March 3, 2012.

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