Key Step in Fixing Jail Problems

The Orange County Board of Supervisors has given deserved support to Sheriff Mike Carona’s plans to build a new locked section inside a branch jail to treat drug addicts. Finding new and creative ways to handle the county’s complex jail capacity problems was a cornerstone of the sheriff’s program in seeking office. While there is still much to be done in that area, this represents an important step in the right direction.

The supervisors this week voted to spend $1.3 million for a 64-bed facility within the Theo Lacy Branch Jail in Orange. Officials said that if the pilot program works as hoped, the center could be expanded.

In campaigning to become sheriff two years ago, Carona said jail overcrowding was one of the problems he most wanted to solve. He said one way to do it was to get inmates treatment for addiction to alcohol or other drugs.

Many of the prisoners are in jail for crimes directly linked to their addictions, such as burglaries to get items to pawn in order to buy drugs. If they can kick the addictions, these people probably will stay out of jail.

Carona properly has been insistent on carefully screening those who might receive treatment and on keeping the selected inmates in a locked facility. That means sheriff’s deputies will be responsible for security; the county Health Care Agency will contract with a private company for treatment.

Inmates will take part in the program for three months to a year. After being freed from jail, they can receive three months of additional counseling. That will be important, given the difficulty of overcoming addiction to cocaine, heroin or alcohol.

Carona said he will track inmates to see whether they remain free from drugs after release. That is a necessary task in determining whether the program merits expansion. If it works, it can be a useful component of a larger plan to reduce jail overcrowding.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca has converted an old jail into a rehabilitation center for about 85 sentenced drug addicts. Sheriffs across the state are pushing a bill in Sacramento to provide $50 million in state money for drug rehabilitation in jails.

As long as the proper precautions are taken, the Orange County program should be supported. If more beds can be found in the county’s jails, they can be used for inmates who now are freed before serving their full terms because of lack of space. The program also can help addicts become drug-free and productive members of society.