San Bernardino County to boost prison capacity
Facing a severe jail housing crunch, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors agreed to add 456 beds to expansion plans for the Adelanto Detention Center.
The jail currently holds 706 inmates, but supervisors previously agreed to add 912 beds in a new four-story facility at the site.
Some supervisors felt that the initial proposal did not go far enough, considering the county’s current shortage of 3,500 beds, which has forced sheriff’s officials to release 118 offenders early each day.
With Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt’s proposal for the additional 456 beds, which was approved unanimously Tuesday, the jail will be able to house 2,074 inmates with the addition of a third building.
The county hopes to begin construction next spring and finish in October 2010.
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