Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Jail Expansion

Activists in Contra Costa County are trying to block a proposed jail expansion, saying the money could be put to better use on services to prevent crime. Counties around the state are grappling with growing jail populations in the wake of Governor Jerry Brown’s move to shift - or “re-align” - low level offenders from prisons to local jails. Opponents of jail expansion are mobilizing in counties around the state, and they’re looking forward to the possibility of legislation to put a moratorium on new jail construction. Christopher Martinez reports.