Santa Barbara County is facing some major decisions over the future of its jail system.
The county is looking at expansion plans for its Northern Branch Jail in Santa Maria to take some of the capacity from the aging Main Jail in Santa Barbara.
Three proposals are under review. The first option would increase the system’s capacity to 748 inmates. Option 1.5 would increase capacity to 876. Option 2 would give the system just over 1,000 beds. The system currently averages about 750 inmates.
Another big question is how to pay for any expansion. Depending on which, if any, options are pursued, construction costs could run between $120 million and $215 million.
The County's Board of Supervisors will talk about the jail expansion proposals when they meet Tuesday.
