Tent Jail an Innovative Idea
Sheriff John Gillespie is recognized throughout the state for the quality of his leadership and, in particular, for the innovative approach he brings to law enforcement.
Recent news stories indicate John Gillespie is at it again. In his 1990 “State of the Jails” report, Gillespie proposed a “tent city” with a boot-camp regimen set up at the Seabee base at Port Hueneme to house convicted drug users whose time would be served working on public works projects.
This could well be a refreshingly direct and cost-effective solution to a host of interrelated problems: relief of jail crowding, substance-abuse counseling, efficient supervision of inmates and the separation of misdemeanor offenders from felons and violent criminals.
The notion of getting some community pay-back in the form of cleaning beaches, marinas and parks is appealing.
The sheriff’s “tent city” idea comes at a time when last year’s jail costs were $689,000 more than expected because of severe overcrowding at the main jail in Ventura. The new-style tents, which would house 320 to 360 inmates for about $500,000 and could be operational within 30 days of approval, would certainly ease a potentially explosive situation.
Sheriff Gillespie may not have effected a cure, but he has assuredly brought forth an ingenious palliative.
PATRICIA D. WEINBERGER
Ojai
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