As jail population drops, Santa Clara County weighs whether to build big or build at all

Santa Clara County is proceeding with plans to construct a new jail, even as the incarcerated population has declined since the pandemic. The estimated costs have surged from $390 million to $747 million, prompting county leaders to assess the current jail facilities' conditions while gathering community input. Deputy County Executive Consuelo Hernandez stated that the county is committed to building something, but discussions are ongoing regarding the appropriate size and design. Civil rights organization Silicon Valley De-Bug has withdrawn from the public input process, fearing that their involvement may be misinterpreted as support for the jail. The county is exploring creative outreach methods, such as collecting feedback anonymously, to engage the community effectively.

Some community leaders argue for a new facility, highlighting the need for collaboration to ensure it is appropriately scaled. Raj Jayadev of De-Bug believes that opposition to the project can still succeed, citing previous successes in halting jail plans. The discussions reflect broader debates over criminal justice reform and the future of incarceration in the county.