Dear CLUE Members,
On October 20, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors will consider the proposed $167 million jail design, a decision that will affect our county for years to come.
What is proposed?
- 880 beds in the total county jail system.
- Six new 64-bed housing units (384 beds) at the North Branch Jail to reach that total.
- All six units built to hardened high-security standards, regardless of whether residents are classified as high, medium, or low security. Limited adjustments made within a high security building.
Our CLUE/LWV Criminal Justice Workgroup recommendation:
Vote to move forward with four 64-bed housing units, but PAUSE approval of the other two until updated data justifies the need.
What data is needed before approving the other two housing units?
- Updated jail population projections: The average daily jail population (ADP) has declined by 141 people—from 790 in July 2025 to 649 in September 2026. How many new housing units are actually needed? Updated jail population projection form County expert Mike Wilson needed.
- Current security-level counts: How many people currently in jail are classified as needing high-, medium-, or low-security housing? September average count per level needed.
- Comparison of housing designs: What are the construction costs, staffing needs, program access, reentry benefits, and future flexibility of a medium/low-security housing unit compared with a hardened high-security unit as currently proposed?
PLEASE ACT BEFORE OCTOBER 20!
Take five minutes to read the attached flyer and one-page background summary, then email the Board of Supervisors.
One email to the Clerk of the Board reaches all five supervisors. The flyer includes a short suggested message you can send.
Thank you for helping CLUE advocate for responsible use of public funds and a more effective, humane criminal justice system
