Jail Facilities: Yes on 52
California’s jails are overwhelmed. In county after county, inmates sleep in recreation rooms, classrooms, kitchens, outdoors in tents and occasionally on roofs. In jail after jail, men and women double up in cells that are intended for one person. The overcrowding is chronic, and in some cases dangerous.
Proposition 52, a bond issue on the June 3 ballot, would provide $495 million to build new county facilities or to renovate deteriorating jails, with $20 million earmarked for county juvenile facilities. Counties would match each allocation with 25% of total costs for facilities coming from local budgets. The need is desperate. We urge a Yes vote.
State lawmakers are still deciding how best to share the money. SB 2543, sponsored by Sen. Robert Presley (D-Riverside), would divide the dollars, fairly, according to a formula endorsed by the County Supervisors Assn. of California. Almost every county would get aid.
Los Angeles County could expect about $161.4 million; Orange County, $18.3 million; San Diego County, $33 million; Riverside County, $16.9 million; San Bernardino County, $15 million, and Ventura County, $20.7 million.
The jail populations are increasing throughout California as more men and women are detained while awaiting their day in court. The Los Angeles County jail system is almost 9,000 inmates over the intended capacity of 11,824. The Orange County jail system is one of eight county systems that are under court orders of varying degree to improve conditions. The San Diego County jail system is also overcrowded.
Overcrowded jails are dangerous and inhumane. Proposition 52 deserves a Yes vote on June 3.
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