Fresno County Supervisors Approve Jail Realignment Plan
Starting October 1st, hundreds of state inmates will start living in the Fresno County Jail. The state will pay for at least the first year.
The U.S. Supreme Court ordered California to reduce its state prison population because of overcrowding. So a new law moves non-violent state cons to local jails.
On Tuesday, Fresno County Supervisors begrudgingly approved the $8.8-million jail realignment plan.
By the first of October, a floor of the jail will reopen; that opens up 432 beds. In April 2012, another floor will reopen...opening up another set of 432 beds.
46 correctional officers will be hired -- 22 of those had been fired because of earlier budget cuts.
The state's commitment is limited to the current fiscal year, and Fresno County Supervisors question what will happen after the first year of state funding is over.
"Is that going to fill up the jail quickly and then we're still in a release situation with these folks that are coming back if they re-offend?" asked Fresno County Supervisor Henry Perea.
As of right now, money from the state to pay for these inmates is only guaranteed until July 2012.
