How much jail space does Santa Barbara County need and how much can we afford?

Members of the public are being asked to share their two cents on the most ambitious and expensive jail conversion and construction project in Santa Barbara County history at a community meeting this Wednesday.

Although the public is asked for their opinion on prison design issues, the real question is: How many prison beds does the county need to safely house residents and inmates, and how many can the county afford to build? and to personnel in accordance with established law enforcement personnel protocols? As usual, the answers so far depended almost entirely on who you asked.

County Sheriff Bill Brown has argued forcefully in the past that it would be irresponsible for the county board to approve fewer than two new jails for the Northern Branch Jail in Santa Maria; Systemwide, this would create a statewide complex of two prisons with a capacity of 984 beds.

Supervisors — who are more optimistic that the prison population can be limited and controlled by diverting mentally ill people from incarceration to treatment — are more inclined to approve just one new unit for the Northern Branch Jail. This would bring the total number of beds statewide to 728. Considering that the average daily prison population is about 750, that’s a tight squeeze, and it’s expected that expanded diversion efforts for the mentally ill — so far far more theoretical than real — can pay significant dividends.

Making matters worse, the state’s voters just approved Proposition 36, which would see even more people locked up for less serious but still serious thefts. It is too early to say with certainty what burden those arrested and charged under this new law will place on the local prison system.

Everyone seems to agree that the main prison on Calle Real is far too dysfunctional, disjointed and run-down to justify the massive investment required to upgrade its dilapidated infrastructure. Capacity will drop from 751 beds to 128; The – in any case considerable – gap will be closed by the new Northern Branch Jail.

Three different expansion scenarios are considered. In its most modest state – just one additional ward – the district will have a capacity of 728 beds; It is estimated that construction would cost the county $94 million. In the intermediate scenario – one and a half pods – bed capacity would be 856, with construction costs estimated at $132 million. Finally, the two-cabin, 984-bed proposal favored by Sheriff Brown weighs $160 million.

However, none of these price tags include annual personnel costs. Financing would come through certificates of participation, which would have to be paid off over a period of 30 years.

The consultants who will moderate Wednesday’s public hearing will explain the many constraints and obligations the county now faces. No decision will be made based on Wednesday’s submissions. This decision will probably not be made until next year with a significantly changed composition of the Supervisory Board.

Previously, District 1 Supervisor Das Williams has been a vocal supporter of criminal justice reforms aimed at reducing the average daily inmate population. Williams has long and vigorously advocated for the greatest possible diversion of mentally ill people into treatment and out of prison. Williams on the board will be replaced this January by Roy Lee, a Carpinteria council member and business-minded moderate. The issue of prison size and costs was not discussed in detail or specifically during their campaigns.

The virtual meeting will take place on Wednesday, December 4th at 2:30 p.m. To register click here.