When San Joaquin, Calaveras and Amador counties last week applied for more than $128 million in state funds to expand their county jails, they were not alone. In total, 24 counties turned in nearly $1.2 billion worth of proposals to the state board in charge of doling out the $750 million available to add much-needed space to overflowing local jails. In California, 17,000 of the state's 173,000 inmates are in non-traditional housing. San Joaquin County is well positioned to get "at least the lion's share" of the $80 million requested to expand the jail by 1,280 beds as early as 2013. The jail regularly releases inmates early because of a court order to relieve overcrowding.

San Joaquin County also has shown a willingness to accommodate state inmates returning from sentences in California's prisons in a re-entry facility planned at a converted women's prison near Stockton. It's meant to be a regional facility, for use by San Joaquin, Amador and Calaveras counties. The $750 million in funding is available through AB900, which was signed into law last year. Small counties such as Amador and Calaveras are competing for a portion of $100 million. San Joaquin County will be vying for part of $650 million available to medium- and large-size counties. Governor Schwarzenegger's administration is pushing to fix financial, legal and ethical troubles.

Under the microscope is a state prison agency whose budget has ballooned by more than 200 percent in the past 15 years. Schwarzenegger is to unveil a new state budget proposal this month. A broad list of potential cuts include freezing raises for prison guards and curbing health care costs. Another corrections item proposes the elimination of one meal for inmates on weekends and holidays by having brunch instead of breakfast and lunch.