The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors reviewed a report on strategies to reduce county jail populations at its meeting on December 9, 2025.
The discussion was based on the data analysis report by the Community Corrections Partnership (CCP). The Board requested the report to analyze jail data, evaluate the efficiency of diversion programs, and assess whether new facilities are needed.
The analysis was conducted by a subcommittee of the CCP, comprising representatives from the Probation Department, Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, and community advocates.
Watch the meeting here
Jail Population Trends
Based on the calendar year 2024 and a July 2025 snapshot, the analysis found that the jail population was relatively stable. The population averaged slightly over 745 incarcerated individuals in 2024 and increased slightly to 779 individuals in 2025.
The overall average length of stay was roughly 23 days, while people arrested for Part One violent felonies averaged about 58 days, according to the report.
In July 2025, 82% of the jail population was classified as unsentenced, or awaiting court-ordered disposition.
However, the unsentenced category includes persons who may have already been sentenced on one case but have other outstanding charges pending adjudication, the report noted. Such individuals are required to remain in custody until all cases are resolved, limiting the sheriff’s office or probation’s discretion to release them.
Nearly 11% of the jail population was designated as having a serious mental illness (SMI). Advocates highlighted that SMI individuals frequently cycle through custody due to the absence of long-term subacute treatment beds in the county, often leading to repeated incarceration.
The analysis concluded that only a relatively small number of people in custody appear eligible for release under current policies and legal constraints.
Strategies to Reduce Jail Population
The CCP identified several preliminary measures to reduce the jail population, including:
Expanding treatment access: Many people remain incarcerated because of Release on Bed Availability (RBA) orders — they are sentenced but cannot be released until a mental-health or substance-use treatment bed becomes available. Placing these people directly into treatment rather than custody could reduce the daily jail population by about nine individuals, the report projects.
Expanding the ‘Ready’ program: The Re-Entry Early Access and Diversion for You (Ready) program provides early legal representation and service connection within 48 hours of incarceration. It has successfully reduced the number of inmates at the North County Jail by 14 individuals, according to the report. Expanding the program to the South County Jail is projected to reduce the population by 10 additional inmates.
Reducing the length of stay: Improving system efficiency to reduce the average length of stay by one day can potentially cut the daily jail population by nearly 33 individuals.
Alternative sentencing and sobering centers: The Probation Department is improving the alternative sentencing programs by addressing challenges, such as a lack of communication. Law enforcement agencies are also looking into using underutilized sobering centers for low-level alcohol or drug-related offenses instead of sending them to jail.
Next Steps
The CCP recommended, and justice agencies have already formed a Jail Population Review and Advisory Team (JRAT) to monitor progress and review cases tied to RBA orders.
The CCP has commissioned a broader strategic planning initiative for adult diversion programs, with the draft plan expected in February 2026.
The Public Defender’s Office observed that staffing crunches have forced them to request continuances, adding to the length of stay for serious felony cases that cannot be diverted. They argued that more funds are required to adequately represent clients to accelerate case resolution.
Community advocates urged the Board to ensure transparency by mandating the new JRAT to comply with the Brown Act.
The Board has requested an update in six months.
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The simple thing to do, known for decades, is to provide alternative care for SMI population that avoids jail altogether. This can be secure or monitored and voluntary. Placing this known population into such residential care would also alleviate the community from the impact their mental health issues create. The voters have, on many occasions, supported providing resources for this purpose but the establishments constantly delay implementation. Historically most resistant is County Mental Health. The Sheriff also wants to build his empire by offering to “house” this population as accused criminals. This is an oxymoronic offer but has been smiled upon by politicians who want the support of the Sheriff and the law enforcement unions. So it goes…..