The Los Angeles County Jail population is expected to increase by about 7,000 over the next two years, and peak to about 21,000 by the end of 2013, according to a new report analyzing county jail intake numbers and its impact on offenders shifted from state to county lockups.
The report says without the shifted offenders, the jail population would have likely remained at the 14,000 – 15,000 level.
The report by the JFA Institute suggests that the sheriff’s department could bring down its jail population by about 3,000 by releasing detainees who pose no threat to public safety while awaiting trial. In addition, implementing a comprehensive re-entry program, where sentence reductions were given to inmates who participate in programs designed to keep them from returning to jail, would help lower the population.
The report says about 1,500 beds could be added to the jail system, if the sheriff’s department takes control of some county conservation camps.
The report says the Central Jail can be closed within two years if the jail population is reduced by 3,000 and 1,500 beds are added.
There has been a dramatic decline in the crime rate of California counties since 2000, and it is projected that the crime rate will remain low, according to the study.
Consistent with the reported crime trends, the study finds there has been a decline in jail bookings. In 1990 there were 260,795 bookings. In 2000, the numbers fell to 162,406. In 2011, it had dropped to 142,862.
The study says offenders diverted to the county jails as a result of the state’s realignment strategy will have no impact on the level of bookings and releases in Los Angeles.