Supervisor Mike Antonovich: County Jail Plan Dealt Major Setback

[Supv. Antonovich] – The Los Angeles County Jail Plan, the major effort to replace the Men’s Central Jail with a new Consolidated Correctional Treatment Center and renovate the Mira Loma Detention Facility, was once again delayed – further hindering progress on the development and construction of a new.

A motion was brought forward today which interrupts the forward progress of the County Jail Plan by requiring yet another independent assessment of diversion and treatment services needed inside the jails and available in the community. The motion also stops work by AECOM, the contractor hired to prepare necessary documents to replace Men’s Central Jail, for 45 days – even though AECOM’s work does not interfere or affect the independent assessment.

Mayor Michael D. Antonovich and Supervisor Don Knabe opposed parts of the Board motion, which unnecessarily halts the new Consolidated Correctional Treatment Center and places the County at risk for future litigation. Most especially, it inhibits the County’s ability to house criminals to protect the general public.

“Delaying the replacement of Men’s Central Jail is a disservice to the inmates, Sheriff’s staff, and to taxpayers who are repeatedly saddled with costly litigation,” said Antonovich. “We have an obligation to honor court imposed sentences and protect the victims of crime who suffer from a lifetime of trauma and live in fear.”

The Board of Supervisors had been discussing the jail plan for seven years before they requested an independent assessment of the jails over two years ago. Based on that study, the Board adopted Option 1B last May which consisted of renovating the Mira Loma Detention Facility and replacing Men’s Central Jail with a Consolidated Correctional Treatment Center. Today’s motion seeks another independent assessment that will review and update the previous independent assessment due to certain changes in the law such as the passage of Proposition 47 and split sentencing.

Supervisor Ridley-Thomas on Suspending Plans for New Jail

[Supv. Ridley-Thomas] – For those suffering from mental illness, the worst possible place to heal is county jail. The jail system in the county of Los Angeles is deplorable. And so we have a mandate to act on improving the conditions of the jails and to do so responsibly and holistically.

Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas

The Board of Supervisors’ decision to suspend plans to build a new jail until more information is gleaned about alternative options is simply good public policy. We cannot build a new facility until we have more answers about Proposition 47 and other factors that have impacted the inmate population. It is imperative that before we commit billions of dollars on new jails that we feel confident about the projected needs and the review process.

On May 5, I asked that all the departments to present a public report on the status of the jail master plan. And the report we have heard indicates clearly that we must continue to have public conversations about this very important issue. There are a number of questions that remain to be answered before we move forward. While this is an urgent matter, we must get this done correctly.

We need an independent analysis of the actual number of treatment and other beds needed at the new jail, which is being called the Consolidated Correctional Treatment Facility. In addition, we have asked for a broad assessment of all community based alternative options for treatment including, but not limited to, mental health and substance abuse treatment.