Board Considers Plan to Build Boot Camp
Ventura County would join two other area counties in establishing a military-style boot camp for nonviolent juvenile offenders under a proposal being considered by the Board of Supervisors.
The county, along with Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, was recently awarded a $865,000 federal grant to develop and operate the boot camp.
Specifically, the money would be used to finance a 40-bed facility in the existing Los Prietos Boys Camp in Santa Barbara County, officials said. The camp is within Los Padres National Forest, about 30 miles north of Santa Barbara.
Plans call for building a 40-bed dormitory. Ventura County would have control of 20 beds, which officials said would help alleviate overcrowding in the county’s Juvenile Hall.
The federal crime bill requires a 25% match toward construction costs, with Ventura County’s portion being $150,000. This money would come from the budget of the county Correction Services Agency.
The agency is also asking the county to approve funding for its share of ongoing operational costs of the boot camp, estimated at $410,000 a year. This would be paid with sales tax money generated from Proposition 172, which sets aside money specifically for public safety services.
The board will consider accepting the federal grant and approving operational funding for the boot camp at its meeting today.
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