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Supervisor Haney calls for plan — Board to seek timeline and strategy to close County Jail No. 4 at 850 Bryant Street
Summary
Supervisor Shamann Haney and several colleagues asked the sheriff and city administrator to present a plan and hearing on shutting down County Jail No. 4 at 850 Bryant Street, citing seismic concerns, the jail's design and high rates of pretrial incarceration and mental-health needs among detainees.
Supervisor Shamann Haney on July 30 introduced a request, co‑sponsored by multiple colleagues, calling on the sheriff and the city administrator to produce a plan and present it at a public hearing to close County Jail No. 4 at the Hall of Justice, 850 Bryant Street.
Haney told the Board the building was constructed nearly 60 years ago and has been identified for demolition since 1996. He said the facility is seismically unsuitable, confines many people in small concrete cells for 23 hours a day, and lacks adequate spaces for recreation, counseling and treatment. Haney and supporters argued that the population there is disproportionately pretrial and includes a high share of people with mental illnesses, and said a public, accountable plan is necessary for safe closure.
What was requested: Haney asked that the sheriff and the city administrator present a plan including a timeline, options for reclassification of detainees, pathways to non‑custodial programs, coordination with the police and district attorney to reduce bookings, and strategies for safe relocation of people currently housed at the facility. He asked for a public hearing where these plans would be presented and discussed.
Why it matters: Haney emphasized that nearly 90 percent of people in that facility are pretrial detainees, many awaiting court because they cannot afford bail; he also cited racial and economic disparities in the jail population and described the building’s architecture as incompatible with modern treatment-focused approaches to incarceration.
Board action: The remarks were introduced as new business; Haney indicated he would work with the sheriff, city administrator, public defender, district attorney and other stakeholders and requested the hearing and plan be scheduled.
Provenance excerpt: "Built nearly 60 ago, the building has been marked for demolition since 1996... The building is seismically unfit... 90 percent of people housed there have not been convicted of any crime..." (Transcript excerpt).
