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Crime & Safety

Smith Correctional in Banning, Sheriff's Department Brace for Inmate Increase

Signed into law in April and implemented Oct. 1, AB 109 allows non-violent offenders to serve their sentences in county jails, including Smith Correctional Facility in Banning, instead of state prisons.

Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning and other Riverside County jails are bracing for an inmate increase and the Sheriff's Department is concerned about capacity, sheriff's officials said Wednesday.

A state law that took effect Oct. 1 allows non-violent offenders to serve their sentences in county jails like Smith Correctional instead of state prisons, sheriff's officials said.

Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility has a total of 1,518 beds - including 582 recently added - but it won't be enough room for the expected inmate increase due to the new law, AB 109, Chief Deputy Jerry Gutierrez said Wednesday.

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Gutierrez, who oversees correctional operations for the five jails in the county, said there will not be enough staff to manage the influx of offenders expected.

The Riverside County Board of Supervisors proposed cuts in funding to the Sheriff’s Department in June. Nevertheless, at next week's Board of Supervisors meeting, the Sheriff's Department will attempt to get clearance to hire at least 60 correctional deputies as soon as possible, Gutierrez said.

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"The county will max out at 3,904 prisoners," Gutierrez said. "There is a critical need to address staffing needs for deputies, rehabilitation officers and support staff to meet the demand of this new and increased inmate population."

More than 400 Sheriff’s Department sworn and non-sworn personnel are based at or work at Smith Correctional and the sheriff's Cabazon Station, but some personnel could be shifted to other locations in Riverside County, Gutierrez said.

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