Contractor Hired to Expand Juvenile Hall

The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday hired a contractor to build a $2.9-million addition to the county’s overcrowded Juvenile Hall.

The plan calls for an extension that will accommodate 30 additional beds for young offenders, as well as the installation of a security fence. Martin J. Jaska Inc., a San Bernardino County company, won the contract.

County officials said they hope the addition will help the Probation Department deal with the increasing number of juveniles who commit crimes.

Because of space and funding shortages, the department last year had to release some nonviolent offenders early. Juvenile Hall is funded to handle about 375 inmates but, as of November, was housing more than 430.

The Probation Department saw its annual budget slashed by 11% to $60 million because of the county’s December 1994 bankruptcy. This year, the department faces the loss of $11 million in federal funds.