Making Better Choices
There are two distinct populations in Santa Barbara County’s jails: male and female. The 2024-25 Santa Barbara County Grand Jury conducted an investigation into the living conditions for female inmates in local jails.
Female inmates only make up approximately 10 to 11 percent of the daily average population between both of the County’s jails, and the Grand Jury finds that this results in certain disparities in conditions between male and female inmates.
Jail administration has the ability to make a positive difference with the female inmates. Whether small items on the commissary list, or more nutritional food, or work crews and more classes for women, changes in the living conditions for women inmates could have a remediating effect on their physical and emotional welfare extending beyond the jail…