SACRAMENTO - Orange County is one step closer to receiving $100 million from the California Corrections Standards Authority (CSA) for its proposed jail and re-entry project.
Highly anticipated construction funding recommendations were announced last week by the CSA's Executive Steering Committee. Orange County's proposal received a full funding recommendation. Orange County Assembly members Jose Solorio (D-Anaheim) and Todd Spitzer (R-Orange) lobbied in a bi-partisan effort to make sure the CSA saw the strengths of the Orange County application, including its focus on building new jail capacity and starting new re-entry programs to lower the region's recidivism rate.
"Our city streets will be safer as a result of this new jail construction and re-entry project," said Assemblyman Solorio (D-Anaheim), Chair of the Assembly Committee on Public Safety. "This milestone in the funding process is good news to all of Orange County residents concerned about public safety."
May, 2007: Assemblyman Solorio addresses gathered supporters after AB 900 bill-signing ceremony. Now, Assembly members Solorio and Spitzer work together to implement AB 900.
"Orange County needs to have a strategic plan to ensure that it has enough jail space in the future, as well as new strategies to help prisoners re-enter society," said Assemblyman Spitzer. "I am proud that we helped convince the state that Orange County has a good plan and that it deserves its fair share of state resources."
This jail construction funding comes as a result of last year's AB 900 (Solorio). The legislation authorized the disbursement of $750 million to fund local jail construction projects throughout the state. Orange County's proposal calls for the construction of a 1,536-bed jail in Irvine at Musick Jail, and the use of 292 existing beds at the Theo Lacy Jail Facility in Orange for re-entry services. Jail construction could start as early as August, 2010, and the re-entry facility could be in operation later this year.
The CSA's Request for Proposal emphasized the intent of AB 900 to reduce recidivism by siting and implementing re-entry facilities and programs. The creative, cost-effective solution presented by Orange County merited a perfect score by the CSA executive committee.
The recommended funding recipients, including Orange County, will now proceed with fine-tuning their applications with the CSA for final approval. During this time, Orange County officials and Assembly members Solorio and Spitzer will reach out to Irvine and Orange city leaders to generate greater understanding and support for the project.
Highly anticipated construction funding recommendations were announced last week by the CSA's Executive Steering Committee. Orange County's proposal received a full funding recommendation. Orange County Assembly members Jose Solorio (D-Anaheim) and Todd Spitzer (R-Orange) lobbied in a bi-partisan effort to make sure the CSA saw the strengths of the Orange County application, including its focus on building new jail capacity and starting new re-entry programs to lower the region's recidivism rate.
"Our city streets will be safer as a result of this new jail construction and re-entry project," said Assemblyman Solorio (D-Anaheim), Chair of the Assembly Committee on Public Safety. "This milestone in the funding process is good news to all of Orange County residents concerned about public safety."
May, 2007: Assemblyman Solorio addresses gathered supporters after AB 900 bill-signing ceremony. Now, Assembly members Solorio and Spitzer work together to implement AB 900.
"Orange County needs to have a strategic plan to ensure that it has enough jail space in the future, as well as new strategies to help prisoners re-enter society," said Assemblyman Spitzer. "I am proud that we helped convince the state that Orange County has a good plan and that it deserves its fair share of state resources."
This jail construction funding comes as a result of last year's AB 900 (Solorio). The legislation authorized the disbursement of $750 million to fund local jail construction projects throughout the state. Orange County's proposal calls for the construction of a 1,536-bed jail in Irvine at Musick Jail, and the use of 292 existing beds at the Theo Lacy Jail Facility in Orange for re-entry services. Jail construction could start as early as August, 2010, and the re-entry facility could be in operation later this year.
The CSA's Request for Proposal emphasized the intent of AB 900 to reduce recidivism by siting and implementing re-entry facilities and programs. The creative, cost-effective solution presented by Orange County merited a perfect score by the CSA executive committee.
The recommended funding recipients, including Orange County, will now proceed with fine-tuning their applications with the CSA for final approval. During this time, Orange County officials and Assembly members Solorio and Spitzer will reach out to Irvine and Orange city leaders to generate greater understanding and support for the project.
