Good News For Calaveras County

Dennis Downum

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San Andreas, CA -- Finally some good news ... that's the word from Sheriff Dennis Downum.

At a California State Sheriff's Association meeting in San Luis Obispo Thursday Downum learned that local entities will have control over the amount and cost of staffing that must be in place 90 days after a new jail becomes operational.

The Association had requested a waiver due to a state mandate that stated that 90 days after the opening of a new jail the operational staff had to be fully funded. Now Downum says that the staff size of the new Calaveras County Jail can be determined by the local authorities from the first day of operation.

Downum commented, "This is the best news we have received regarding our jail project in a long time."

Downum added that 160 beds out of the 240 that the jail will hold come under state regulations. With his current staff Downum would be able to operate an 80 bed jail which is 15 more beds than he has at the present time.

The County has already purchased the property for the jail and commissioned a firm for its design.

Written by bill.johnson@mlode.com