Monday, May 14, 2012

San Mateo County - finally getting its new jail for low-level offenders


San Mateo County Times/Josh Melvin, 5/8/12.  "San Mateo County approves $16.5 million for new jail."

REDWOOD CITY -- Despite opponents' pleas against building more "cages," the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday decided to spend about $16.5 million to spur the construction of a new jail." 

Caged is not exactly "Home sweet home".
Comments from Sheriff Greg Munks.  ...."Munks has argued for the new facility by citing the overcrowded conditions at the current main jail, Maguire Correctional Facility, and the crumbling state of the Women's Jail. His proposal has gained new weight since the state announced last year it was making county lockups responsible for holding the low-level, nonviolent offenders that used to be shipped off to prison. ....Munks said Tuesday the county has seen its average total inmate population of 900  grow by about 100 since October, when the shift in prisoners took effect. He expects at least 100 more of these types of prisoners as the shift, referred to as realignment, continues."  Read Article.

Related - San Francisco Examiner/Niko Kyriakou article, 10/9/11, "San Mateo County brews a fresh idea for new jail, "  Family Bail Blog 4/28/12, "San Mateo County's new realignment plan." And, San Mateo Deputy Sheriff's Association, re-post of San Mateo County Times article/Rebekah Gordon, 7/13/07.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

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