In a recent development, the Pima County Board of Supervisors opted to defer a decision on the future of the Pima County Jail, following the release of a comprehensive report by the Blue Ribbon Commission, formed in early 2023. The commission’s report, spanning 300 pages, unveiled concerning conditions within the facility, prompting intense deliberations.

Commission Findings and Recommendations

The Blue Ribbon Commission outlined five potential courses of action to address the issues plaguing the jail. However, after careful assessment, three options were deemed unfeasible, leaving only two viable solutions on the table:

1. Investment in Repairs: Allocate $650 million towards repairing existing infrastructure and constructing new housing units within the jail.
2. Construction of a New Facility: Allocate approximately $850 million to construct an entirely new jail facility.

Despite these proposals, the Board of Supervisors deferred a decision, scheduling further discussions for a forthcoming meeting on March 5. County Administrator Jan Lesher presented three key recommendations to the Board, drawing from the Commission’s findings:

1. Third-Party Consultation: Engage a third-party consultant to assess jail conditions comprehensively and provide recommendations for improvement.
2. Establishment of a New Commission: Form a new commission tasked with exploring alternative strategies for jail improvements.
3. Creation of a Finance Working Group: Establish a county finance working group to delve into financial considerations related to potential solutions.

Lesher committed to returning to the Board in March with a detailed charter for the proposed commission, alongside a curated list of consultants.

Supervisor Concerns and Public Response

District Four Supervisor Steve Christy expressed reservations regarding the Commission’s inability to arrive at a definitive solution or select between the two primary recommendations. He questioned the absence of a third-party consultant from the outset and advocated for the immediate establishment of a finance group and an additional committee to tackle the issue comprehensively.

Meanwhile, constituents present at the meeting expressed relief at the decision to postpone, with various community groups, including the No New Jails Coalition, the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona, and Just Communities Arizona, actively participating in the discussion. Notably, volunteer community organizer Liz Casey emphasized the importance of diverting funds earmarked for jail construction towards local social services, advocating for a focus on community care and prevention to address underlying issues contributing to crime.

Caroline Isaacs, the Executive Director of Just Communities Arizona, echoed these sentiments, underscoring the need to address failing jail infrastructure and the lack of adequate bed space. Isaacs emphasized the importance of depopulating the jail by exploring community-based alternatives to incarceration, highlighting the overarching goal of serving the community’s interests and promoting effective correctional objectives.

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