SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake County is asking residents to guarantee funding to consolidate two county jails into one and build a new facility aimed at getting help for low-level offenders.
However, some civil society groups believe that this method of advertising is not helpful.
The county says the $507 million bond will cost the average taxpayer about $60 a year. The funds will be used to consolidate the two prisons into one. The current Salt Lake County Oxbow Jail, located at 3148 S. 1100 West, will be closed and beds will be added to the Salt Lake County Metro Jail, located at 3365 S. 900 West.
A new Justice and Accountability Center will then be built so people can receive mental health support and help with job training, housing and substance abuse needs.
On Friday, Republican and Democratic county and state leaders gathered on the steps of the Capitol to argue that investments are critically needed to improve public safety.
“We’re adding beds to our maximum security prisons. And we’re also building a justice and accountability center for low-level offenders, where we’re going to save a ton of tax money.” Salt Lake County said Councilwoman Amy Winder Newton, R-3rd District.
Utah and Salt Lake County leaders on both sides of the political aisle speak about proposed bonds on the steps of the state capitol. (KSL TV)
But a civic group called the Salt Lake Community Bail Fund argues that the bail language does not convey that the Judicial Accountability Center will become a jail, and that adding the facility would mean more people experiencing homelessness. They argue that it is a means of confining people.
“This is a reactive measure that only hides the most marginalized people,” said volunteer organizer Josh Kibrowitz. “This will be a secure facility to hold people who have been arrested and are being tried for indigent crimes such as trespassing and low-level theft. They will be arrested and charged, but they will not appear in court. Have the freedom or autonomy to leave this facility whenever you wish. And our concern is that we position it as a powerful community service that helps reduce recidivism. ”
But county leaders say the details of how the Judicial Accountability Center will operate have not yet been finalized.
The group helps provide bail for people incarcerated before trial, but believes this money would be better spent directly on community support services.
“We know firsthand from the people who come in and out of this prison every day, the people I talk to on a regular basis, that the prison is not working,” Kibrowitz said.
Supporters of bonds say they will help.
“This is a bipartisan effort to improve public safety in a fiscally responsible way. It will improve mental health services, help people get on the path to independence, and reduce recidivism.” said Democratic Capt. Suzanne Harrison, a member of the Salt Lake County Legislature.
Kibrowitz believes the money would be better spent directly on community support services for groups and programs already doing this work.
“I think it’s really important that we know exactly what we’re voting for and that there are other options besides this,” he said.
The bond also has the support of Gov. Spencer Cox’s administration, who called it an “important investment.”
