Board narrows jail expansion to 1.5 housing units, directs diversion study; vote 3-2

The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors on April 1 approved a plan to proceed with a 1.5‑housing‑unit expansion at the Northern Branch Jail in Santa Maria, with direction to maximize behavioral‑health bed capacity and to pursue net‑zero‑energy features. The motion, made by Supervisor Hartman and seconded by Supervisor Lee, passed on a 3–2 roll call after a daylong hearing with dozens of public speakers.

The action follows a court‑ordered stipulated judgment and remedial plan tied to the Murray/Disability Rights California litigation requiring the county to address jail conditions and accessibility. County staff presented three conceptual expansion options — one housing unit (256 beds), 1.5 units (384 beds) and two units (512 beds). Staff and the sheriff’s office said the larger options would better satisfy long‑term capacity and classification needs; advocates and behavioral‑health groups urged investment in community treatment and alternatives to incarceration.

The board's motion directs staff to…