Sheriff-Coroner Don Barnes has announced that the Orange County Jail will terminate its agreement with ICE, so it can efficiently address the increasing need for inmates requiring mental health services.
He says the feds will have 120 days to move their detainees to other facilities likely out of state.
"Once formally terminated, ICE has 120 days to transfer the detainees to other facilities. Unfortunately, based on statuary language within SB 54 those individuals we house, on behalf on ICE, will most likely be transferred outside of California, separating them from their family members who reside within the state. The conclusion of the ICE agreement will allow us to maximize the use of jail bed space and focus on the needs of the mentally ill," said OC Sheriff Don Barnes in a video.
Barnes made the announcement this morning on Twitter.
He says the decision will not impact public safety.
Barnes says the move is in response to a growing need for jail space to accommodate inmates with mental health issues claiming the number of such inmates has increased by 40 percent in the past four years.
$120 per day per inmate— that’s how much feds pay @OCSheriff to house 700+ @ICEgov detainees in local OC jails. That’s $86,000 a day! Sheriff is cancelling contract— needs space for local inmates. ICE inmates to be out by Aug. 1. pic.twitter.com/uCF9gxvTih
— Craig Fiegener (@CraigNews3LV)
March 27, 2019 I am announcing major changes to @OCSheriff's jail operations to efficiently use department resources and address the increasing need for inmates requiring mental health services. See video for more information on upcoming changes. pic.twitter.com/zrimngUkn4
— OC Sheriff Don Barnes (@OCSheriffBarnes)
March 27, 2019 #OCSDPIO: OCSD announces changes to jail operations to increase custody mental health services pic.twitter.com/BCKGLAJ6Cl
— OC Sheriff, CA (@OCSheriff)
March 27, 2019
