Gypsum Canyon Ideal Location for Much-Needed, New O.C. Jail
Thank you for your insightful editorial calling for immediate action toward building a new Orange County Jail (“Time to Deal in Jail Realities,” Aug. 22).
As Orange County’s chief law enforcement officer and as the administrator of the Orange County Jail system, I can tell you that the lack of jail space is the most devastating threat to public safety in Orange County today.
Our criminal justice system is rapidly becoming a revolving door. Criminals either are arrested, brought to the jail for booking and released for lack of room to hold them or they are released weeks before the end of their sentences to make room for more dangerous arrestees.
Over the past 3 1/2 years, more than 150,000 lawbreakers have been released back into the community because of overcrowding. Many are drug dealers, burglars, drunk drivers and other serious criminals.
Unfortunately, the public has not yet become sufficiently aware of this problem to demand that action be taken. Hopefully, public discussion of editorials like “Time to Deal in Jail Realities” will intensify in the coming months, and we will be able to move forward to protect our families.
BRAD GATES
Sheriff-Coroner
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
