Op-ed | Enlarge the Jail? Sacramento County’s Misstep
Sacramento County is scheduled to convene a public listening session on August 27 concerning its “Jail System Master Planning.” The initiative has drawn criticism from author Mark Dempsey, who argues the county’s framework disproportionately emphasizes carceral expansion while overlooking more cost-effective social services and crime prevention alternatives. Dempsey contends this approach neglects systemic issues, such as the detention of unconvicted individuals due to bail inability, advocating for solutions like supervised release and community-based programs.