Santa Barbara County leaders say they’re upset that a man sentenced to 23 years behind bars this week for drug dealing in the county has been ordered to spend the time in county jails, instead of state prison.
While he has multiple past convictions on his record, Jose Aceves is eligible to spend his time in the county.
Under a new state law, many low level offenders are being housed in the counties where they were convicted, instead of in state prisons, as part of an effort to ease state prison overcrowding.
But, Santa Barbara County’s jail system is also seriously overcrowded.
Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown is headed to Sacramento this week to try and secure a state grant which would pay for most of the cost of a new jail complex in northern Santa Barbara County.
County Supervisor Joni Gray, and County Executive Officer Chandra Wallar expressed concern about the action. Click on link to listen to/download soundbite:
