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| Supervisors OK Jail Proposals |
| By The Lompoc Record |
| Published: 12/19/2005 |
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Acknowledging the severely overcrowded conditions at California's Santa Barbara County Jail near Goleta, the county Board of Supervisors pushed forward plans last week for the possible construction of a $153 million North County Jail. Early studies call for an 808-bed jail on a 232-acre parcel near Highway 1 and Black Road, land between Santa Maria and Guadalupe that is owned by the Laguna Sanitation District. Last week, the supervisors allocated $225,000 to secure a purchase option on the property, begin environmental studies and conduct a survey of voters' willingness to pay for the jail, which is expected to cost $19 million annually to operate. The board also set aside $2 million toward the $2.5 million purchase price of the land. While the money is in a fund that does not commit the money for any particular use, Last week's vote does guarantee that the $2 million won't be used on another project until the board votes on the project. “I'm convinced that a new jail is our number one priority,” said 4th District Supervisor Joni Gray, who represents the Orcutt and Lompoc areas. A parade of court and law enforcement officials, including the county district attorney and Lompoc and Santa Maria police chiefs, pleaded with the board to move forward on the North County Jail because they said the current situation is detrimental to the whole county. “We too strongly urge you to support this effort,” Santa Maria Police Chief Danny Macagni said. “Having these people back out on the street is having a very negative impact on our community in Santa Maria.” Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville said a proper jail system is necessary to ensure that criminals are sanctioned appropriately and that the county is able to hold criminals responsible for their actions. The supervisors also took steps to lobby the state for money to fund the construction of the jail, and hire a consultant to study the county's court system to look for possible alternatives to reduce jail overcrowding. Inmate Claims Rights Violated - DYK KBCI News An Idaho inmate, serving time for drunken driving, says his religious rights are being violated in prison. Glen Farnworth claims that to be granted parole, he was ordered to complete a treatment program like Alcoholics Anonymous. He says the programs include references to God or a higher power. Farnworth also claims he has to recite a serenity prayer and a community philosophy based on religion. So, he filed a hand-written civil rights complaint earlier this month. An Idaho Department of Correction spokesperson says treatment programs don't have religious base. |
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