The newly constructed expansion of the Butte County Jail in Oroville is nearing completion, with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony set for Friday. On Monday evening, members of the Oroville Community Development Coalition joined Sheriff Kory Honea and his staff for a guided tour of the facility. This expansion aims to increase inmate capacity and enhance services available to the incarcerated population.
After over 16 years of planning, the jail’s expansion is a significant development for the community. The need for a new facility emerged following the passage of Assembly Bill 109 in 2011, which shifted the responsibility of housing certain non-violent offenders from the state to county jails. Sheriff Honea explained that the previous facility was not equipped to handle the changing needs of the inmate population.
The total cost of the expansion is estimated at $44 million, with $40 million secured through grant funding. The project faced numerous challenges, including issues with initial contractors and funding applications. Ultimately, local contractor Slater and Sons took over and brought the project to completion. “Hiring a local contractor means they are invested in the community,” Honea noted during the tour.
Inside the New Facility
As the tour group entered the new building, they were briefed on the facility’s design and operations. The intake area features sobering cells for intoxicated individuals and holding cells for new arrivals. Correctional Captain Brian Meyers indicated that some equipment is still pending installation but is expected to be operational within the month.
A key addition to the facility is a programming area specifically designed to support inmates with mental health issues. This space allows for individual treatment sessions to help those deemed incompetent to stand trial. “In the past, these individuals would have been sent to a California state hospital,” Honea stated, highlighting the shift towards more comprehensive care within the correctional system.
The expanded facility includes four new housing pods, each featuring double cells and dormitories that can accommodate six inmates each. The design emphasizes brighter spaces with fluorescent lighting and improved surveillance capabilities. The total bed capacity for the combined facilities increases to 750, with the expansion adding 134 additional beds.
Enhanced Services and Future Staffing Needs
Medical services within the jail have also been expanded. The new wing addresses both medical and dental needs, which had previously strained the old facility. This change is significant as more inmates are redirected from state facilities to county jails. Meyers emphasized the importance of having adequate space and resources for medical staff to provide care.
As the facility prepares to open, staffing remains a critical concern. Sheriff Honea has previously noted that the expansion will require up to eight new correctional officers per shift. The county is implementing recruitment and retention incentives to bolster its staffing levels. The recent passage of Measure H in 2024 has provided additional funding to support the Sheriff’s Office in meeting these needs.
Despite the many challenges faced during the planning and construction phases, Honea expressed optimism. “We kept pushing forward despite the hurdles,” he said. As the Butte County Jail expansion moves closer to opening, it represents a significant investment in community safety and inmate rehabilitation.
