Countywide

In an effort to ease overcrowding in San Diego County’s jails, supervisors Tuesday allocated $1.3 million to build space for 268 new jail beds and to free up 100 more by expanding programs that provide early release for certain inmates.

The board voted 4-0, with Supervisor Susan Golding absent, to spend the money for the beds, which were approved in concept June 24.

The beds will be made available by the construction of three new dormitories at existing jails, an expansion of the work-furlough program, and the addition of more beds at the Camp Barrett probation honor camp.

Adding 112 beds to the Descanso jail camp will bring the jails’ capacity to 1,801 inmates. On Tuesday, the Sheriff’s Department reported 3,177 inmates housed in space designed for 1,689. The remaining 156 beds will be part of the probation system.