The State : Jail Crowding Cited in Report

Crowding is continuing to plague California’s jails, which have almost 15,000 more prisoners than spaces to house them, the state Board of Corrections reported. The board said in a 311-page report to the Legislature that 25,000 additional beds will be needed by 1992. “Although much progress has been made in replacing old, worn-out jails, the deterioration of existing facilities is being accelerated by overuse due to overcrowding,” said a summary of the jail report, which is required every two years. Researchers found that on an average day in 1987, 60,085 prisoners were in jail with 45,085 beds that met state standards.