Fresno County is making room for more jail inmates, but the vacancy won't last long.
432 beds are being made available on Saturday. The board of supervisors approved $3 million dollars to make room for more inmates.
Prison realignment has placed a tremendous burden on local jurisdictions. Sometimes dozens of inmates are released early in a single day, simply because there's no place to house them.
Sheriff Margaret Mims says the new floor will help, but it's not a final solution. She expects the beds will be filled within two weeks.
The last vacant floor in the jail also does not have any individual cells. Violent offenders are usually placed in the cells known as "Ad Seg," for administrative segregation.
That means even if there is an open bed, a violent offender could still walk out early. Sherrif Mims said Fresno needs an entirely new detention facility.
TXT 24
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