State Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Secretary James Tilton called the meeting with state representatives, the County Administrative Officers of all three counties and Amador County Sheriff Martin Ryan, Calaveras County Sheriff Dennis Downum and San Joaquin County Sheriff Moore to discuss the possibilities for reopening the Northern California Women's Facility, an 800-bed prison that last housed inmates in 2003. The tri-county facility would have a set percentage of beds reserved for inmates from each county that are in the final phases of their incarceration period, nearing their parole periods. According to Sheriff Martin Ryan the facility would provide these inmates with the benefit of a full year of transition services, including preparation for re-entry into society with the development of skills and advice.

The facility would be a full in custody California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation run facility says Ryan which would be of great benefit to Amador County. One of the main benefits, explains the Sheriff, is that this type of joint reentry facility is a primary requirement for Amador County to move up on the priority list to receive state funding for the construction of a new local jail. Sheriff Ryan says that this joint effort will increase the opportunity for those desperately needed state monies. He also emphasizes that the tri-county endeavor for a re-entry facility will not cost the county anything- it will be completely funded by the state. Under Sheriff Wegner asked the Board of Supervisors to sign a letter of support for the tri-county facility for presentation to the state. The Board agreed with the understanding that this is the first step in the exploration process and after several clarifications from Under Sheriff and Mule Creek Warden Richard Subia. I’ll have more on this is today’s Supervisors Report