BEHIND BARS: For better or for worse,...

BEHIND BARS: For better or for worse, construction of Ventura County’s new $53.7-million jail amid the citrus groves near Santa Paula is moving along at a good clip (B1). Some greenbelt preservationists and Santa Paula city officials are not fans of the facility, which will replace the overcrowded county lockup in Ventura. . . . State figures show more than 1,400 prisoners are behind bars in county facilities on an average day--including those in the county’s work-furlough program at Camarillo Airport. . . . And that’s not counting inmates at city jails.

ORDER IN THE CLASS: Simi Valley school officials have hired more aides to help teachers maintain classroom order when students threaten violent behavior (B6). . . . Subduing out-of-control students has become an increasing problem in some schools. “Teachers are asked to be mentors, crisis counselors, negotiators--even priests and rabbis,” said Joyce Kennedy, head of CSUN-Ventura, who touches on the topic often in lectures. “The need for quality now has never been greater, but the difficulties have never been greater.”

SAFETY CONCERNS: Women’s health care clinics in west Ventura County are stepping up security measures in the wake of the recent abortion clinic shooting in Massachusetts (B1). . . . Despite the precautions, though, at least one clinic is forging ahead with plans for expansion.

POWER VISIT: Andrias van Agt, ambassador to the United States from the European Community, will be visiting Ventura County today at the invitation of the World Affairs Council. . . . Van Agt, former prime minster of the Netherlands, will meet with council members at a private reception at the Reagan Library near Simi Valley, followed by a 7 p.m. speech at the Rockwell Science Center. His topic: “Europe: Powerhouse Under Construction.” The cost is $10 for council members and $18 for non-members. Call 449-9953 for information or reservations.

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Doing Time

Average daily populations in county jail systems in 1993: Los Angeles: 19,964 San Diego: 4,836 Orange: 4,798 San Bernardino: 3,105 Riverside: 2,446 Ventura: 1,438 Source: State Board of Corrections