CEO office outlines plan to close Men’s Central Jail; advocates demand immediate closure without replacement

County staff on Tuesday presented an updated, countywide plan to close Men’s Central Jail (MCJ) and expand community‑based care, while supervisors and dozens of public commenters pressed for a faster timeline and demanded closure "without replacement." The presentation by the CEO’s office outlined a 3‑lever strategy — reduce inflow, shorten length of stay, and increase outflow to community‑based alternatives — and described a 6 to 9 month review to update prior plans and cost estimates.

Wilford Pinkney, executive director of the newly named Community Safety Implementation Team in the CEO’s office, told the board the team's goal remains “to safely close Men’s Central Jail without a replacement.” He said his office has begun a countywide inventory and program analysis to identify capacity, gaps and opportunities to scale up diversion and community services. Pinkney also acknowledged the skepticism of community members who have seen prior plans and said the team will work to demonstrate transparency and accountability.

Supervisors pressed staff for timelines and measurable metrics. Supervisor Lindsey Horvath asked for firm milestones and ways the board can hold the team accountable; she also pressed staff to identify barriers the board could help remove. Supervisor Janice Hahn called the 6‑to‑9 month estimate "long" and urged acceleration, saying the county has waited years for closure and noting the high number of in‑custody deaths.

County staff cited current operational challenges: jail population up 3% since January 2025, specialty mental‑health housing representing about 38% of the total population (approximately 4,866 people), and an increase in average length of stay by 18 days compared with the pre‑COVID baseline — a change the staff said would reduce the jail population by about 21% if pre‑COVID lengths of stay returned. Staff also identified logistical obstacles including transportation shortages to get people to court and technological and operational limits for video arraignments.

Advocates, family members and civil‑rights groups used public comment to press for immediate action. Speakers included family members of people who died in custody, representatives from Dignity and Power Now, SC Justice Group, ACLU SoCal, Justice LA and others. Common demands: close MCJ now, do not build another locked care campus under the sheriff’s department, expand Office of Diversion and Reentry capacity, provide clear timelines and budgeted community care beds to make closure possible, and release autopsy and investigative records for in‑custody deaths.

Why it matters: Advocates and supervisors said the urgency is underscored by a rising death rate in custody (16 in‑custody deaths reported so far in 2025), ongoing lawsuits and settlements tied to excessive force, and long‑standing community distrust. County staff said closing MCJ without a replacement requires coordinated expansion of community resources, court cooperation, and funding commitments.

Board action: The presentation was received and filed; supervisors asked staff for more frequent updates, clearer metrics and identification of funding and legal obstacles.

Next steps: County staff said they will complete the landscape analysis and updated cost estimates in roughly 6–9 months while continuing to implement immediate depopulation strategies and operational fixes (transportation, video arraignment enhancements) during that period. Advocates urged the board to accelerate timetables and to identify budgeted funding for community alternatives now.