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Board directs county to expand family‑reunification space and create permanent career center at Century Regional Detention Facility
Summary
The board approved two motions to renovate unused courtroom space for family reunification visits and to establish a permanent career center at the Century Regional Detention Facility, directing departments to use already-allocated AB 109 funding and to coordinate reentry supports.
Los Angeles County supervisors voted unanimously on Dec. 2 to accelerate two programs at the Century Regional Detention Facility (CRDF): converting an unused courtroom to expand family reunification visiting space and establishing a permanent career center to provide job training and post‑release connections.
Supervisor Lindsey Hahn introduced the motions, saying the current family‑bonding program operates in a small room and the larger courtroom would allow many more incarcerated mothers to reconnect with their children. "Providing mothers with a safe, supportive, child‑friendly space to see their children is a practical way to reduce harm and maintain the bonds that are essential," Hahn said (SEG 2404–2410).
Hahn also directed the Department of Economic Opportunity, the sheriff’s department and Justice Care and Opportunity to create a career center at CRDF to connect women to training and employers before release, noting prior pilot work during the pandemic and existing AB 109 funding that remains available to draw down once the program launches (SEG 2255–2263; SEG 2460–2466). Supervisor Mitchell and others urged stronger coordination to ensure direct access to training partnerships at release.
The board voted 5–0 to approve both items. Public commenters — including formerly incarcerated people and reentry advocates — urged quick implementation and noted the programs’ potential to reduce recidivism and strengthen families.
County staff stated no additional budget action is required and that the AB 109 allocation remains available for program drawdown once implementation begins.
