Grand Jury Recommends Funding Jail Programs Over Construction

Orange County jails should spend more of the money the county makes from inmate phone calls and other services on urgently needed rehabilitation and education programs, according to a report released Wednesday by the county grand jury.

For the past three years, 41% of money generated by inmates went to expand Theo Lacy Jail in Orange and purchase a commissary in Anaheim. Meanwhile, programs on abuse recovery, life skills and academics all have long waiting lists and insufficient classroom space, according to the study. The fund had a surplus of $3.5 million, the report said.

Instead of spending the money on construction, the grand jury said, the funds should be spent on programs that help inmates. It also recommends funding for a comprehensive inmate tracking system to test whether these programs keep released inmates from committing more crimes.