Supervisors vote to move forward with jail expansion plan in downtown Redding

SHASTA COUNTY, Calif. — The Shasta County Jail will be expanding in Downtown Redding. Supervisors voted 4-1 on Tuesday morning to move forward with the plan.

Public Works Director Al Cathey laid out the two options the board wanted to consider: "Option A," next to the existing jail on West Street, downtown, and "Option B," a new facility on county property near Highway 44 and Airport Rd.

One concern—wherever it's built—is the Sheriff's office inability to fully staff the existing jail.

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Undersheriff Brian Jackson says that's being addressed.

“We are actively working on the working conditions inside the jail; the environment. It’s not generally a happy place for those that are incarcerated, as well as those that work there. We’ve been working very hard on accountability and leadership and additional training to help change the culture; to help make the place a better place to work because that’s what’s going to help us with our retention," Undersheriff Jackson told supervisors.

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Before the board's decision, there was plenty of public comment raising issues like staffing, mental health treatment and services, and transporting inmates.

“As much as I want to see more jail space, this is not going to be the fix and, I’m afraid, we won’t move on with a larger facility which what’s really needed,” said one speaker at the meeting.

“I wish we could build this [as] fast as Costco went up,” one speaker quipped, followed by laughter and applause from the attending crowd of locals.

“I support ‘Option A’—'One’ or ‘A’—from the list of the three options. It’s the more-economical option and will deliver 256-bed extension so our existing jail while keeping it near the courthouse and central services,” another speaker told supervisors.

“I’m for the jail continuing to stay here, because, I live in Palo Cedro slash Millville and, by taking that out there, the first thing that comes to my mind, and my husband’s, was what about the EIRs?” Another speaker said.

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A packed agenda during the first meeting for Supervisors Kevin Crye and Chris Kellstrom. The board voted to explore a two-term limit and reserve correctional officers who would help staff the jail.

Supervisors will discuss the CEO and Public Health Officer positions during a closed session on Tuesday night.

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