Butte County Supplemental Jail Facility Project CEQA14-0001

Butte County Supplemental Jail Facility Project CEQA14-0001

The proposed project would result in the construction and operation of a Supplemental Jail Facility (proposed project or facility), built in response to the increase in inmates and parolees transferred from the state of CA to Butte County custody as a result of California as a result of CA AB 109. The two story facility would be approximately 75,000 sf with 256 beds and six "Program Rooms" accommodating up to 24 inmates each who will be participating in various social welfare, life skills and mental health programs to assist their transition to civilian life. Toilets, showers, storage and other ancillary space will also be provided, although the kitchen and cafeteria will continue to operate out of the existing jail. The proposed Facility would operate around the clock throughout the year as a jail while the Program Rooms would operate during the day and perhaps into the early evening hours. Some limited parking and loading/unloading space would be included in the site design, with additional parking provided at the existing lot in front of the Sheriff's office. Access would be provided over an existing road that passes immediately south of the existing jail facility. Security lighting around the proposed facility perimeter would be provided by lighting mounted on the structure's exterior walls. As many as 198 beds in the existing jail not consistent with contemporary incarceration plans will be removed and their space utilized for other support functions. Thus, there would be a net increase of 58 beds or inmates over the existing population. The 2013 Butte County Jail Needs Assessment identifies a need for 8 new staff as part of the County's response to AB 109. Whether or not all would work daily in the proposed facility is unknown at this time; for purposes of this initial study, however, it is assumed the operation of the proposed facility would include an additional 8 staff. Thus the proposed facility would include an additional 58 inmates and 8 staff over current inmate and staffing levels. The proposed facility would be built to US Green Building Council LEED Silver standards or equivalent, as well as to Code of Regulations Title 15 and Title 24.

Oroville

Butte