County to get $30 million to expand jail

Kings County has been conditionally awarded a $30 million state grant that would expand the new jail by 170 beds, a long-waited project to solve the chronic jail overcrowding. The grant comes as a result of a decision by the state Corrections Standards Authority board on Thursday.

Kings County was one of three smaller counties awarded their full requested amount as part of the state's competitive allocation of funds from Assembly Bill 900, legislation that took effect a year ago. Ten similar-sized counties were vying for the money.

The award of the money is contingent upon further review and validation by the state.

"We're very excited," said Assistant County Administrative Officer Deb West. "This will help us, though we'll still have to come up with more money. But $30 million toward Phase II of our jail gets us a whole lot closer to achieving our goal than zero."

Kings County was seeking the state money to build the second phase of the jail, which would add 170 beds as well as spaces for a clinic, infirmary, mental health service, a new kitchen, administrative office and other needs. The expansion is estimated to cost $45 million.

The county will have to make up the difference with impact fees and debt issuance, Kings County Administrative Officer Larry Spikes has said.

Kings County will also have to come up with $1.5 million to match the state money, based on the grant requirement.

There are strings attached to the state jail money.

Kings County must meet the state prison needs by running rehabilitation programs that effectively integrate prisoners back into communities.

In the application, Kings County spelled out a plan to cooperate with the city of Coalinga to use the city's Claremont Custody Center as a regional re-entry facility, where inmates spend the final months of their prison terms.

This plan apparently gave Kings County a high score to rank second among 10 small counties that applied for the money.

"One of the factors weighed most heavily was their willingness and ability to site a re-entry facility," said Seth Unger, spokesman for the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. "Combined with that, Kings County had a demonstrated need for beds."

During the next 90 days, the CDCR facility planning and construction management staff will review and validate the re-entry facility site in Coalinga, Unger said. If the site and the plan were found viable, the team would make the recommendation for a formal approval of the money, he said.

The Corrections Standards Authority board will meet on Sept. 18 to finalize the AB 900 grant awards.

"We are excited, but it is conditional," West said. "We have a lot of work ahead of us still."

AB 900 jail money breakdown

Recommended ranking

Medium/Large Counties ($650 million set aside)

1. San Bernardino: $100 million 2. San Joaquin: $80 million 3. Kern: $100 million 4. Orange: $100 million 5. Santa Barbara: $56.3 million 6. San Diego: $100 million 7. Monterey: $80 million 8. Los Angeles: $33.7 million

Small Counties ($100 million set aside)

1. Yolo: $30 million 2. Kings: $30 million 3. Madera: $30 million 4. Calaveras: $10 million

Source: The state Department of Corrections

The reporter can be reached at 583-2429.

(May 9, 2008)