Who is Telling the Truth About Modular Jails?

By Frank Gayaldo

Stockton, California has become infamous for its city bankruptcy and high crime rate. Both Sheriff candidates agree we need more jail space. The argument has come down to whether modular jail construction is a viable and affordable solution or not. Sheriff Candidate Pat Withrow believes that modular jails can help reduce site disruption time, be built to very high standards, while at the same time significantly lowering the cost to taxpayers. Pat Withrow says with funding already in the current sheriff’s budget, San Joaquin County can have new jail beds within 90 days and that there is no need for any additional state funding to get this project done. On the other hand, Sheriff Moore has made numerous strong statements in front of large groups and to newspapers against modular jails.

I personally believe Sheriff Moore’s motivation for being anti-modular is that he wants to win this political race at any cost. Endorsing his challenger’s plan would mean that taxpayer’s got hosed under his watch. I suppose Moore would like another crack at obtaining an $80 million state grant to build what I would classify as a “Taj Mahjal”, but I digress. Obviously I am biased, so let’s forget about who believes what for a moment and just look at irrefutable facts:

On March 20, 2014 in the Lodi News Sentinel
http://www.lodinews.com/news/article_4ee1885e-3684-55fc-b4f7-36c9537d8292.html
“During a phone interview with the Lodi News-Sentinel on Wednesday, Moore said his office has previously explored building modular facilities, but learned they’re “usually not viable” because they often don’t meet fire safety codes or the minimum requirements for housing inmates.”

On March 22, 2014, in this Stockton Record article
http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20140326/A_NEWS/403260317/-1/rss02
“Moore challenged the modular facilities idea, saying nowhere in the state are corrections departments using such housing units. Modulars do not last and they would have to be brought up to fire regulations and other building standards.”

Folsom State Prison’s California Prison Industry Authority has a program called the Modular Building Enterprise. They build modulars for use at correctional facilities. Been in existence since 2006. The guy who runs the program says he can build modular jail barracks for San Joaquin County that meet all fire, building and inmate housing codes.

Please watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRKmidtHTKU.

Now please read Moore’s statements again. Hmm. Something does not jive here.

According to a 5/23/13 SJ County Grand Jury report, the Sheriff spent “approximately $9 million for architectural and engineering {jail} design work but construction plans have not been produced and construction approvals have not been received.” Keep in mind that for this $9 million dollars we did not create any new jail beds, nor did a shovel even hit the ground.

I would think every San Joaquin County voter should be asking how many modular jail beds could have been purchased with $9 million dollars. I think they should also be demanding to see a line item breakdown of where that $9 million dollars went. But again that is just me.

I have spoken to no less than three different private modular companies who say that Sheriff Moore is either “grossly misinformed” or as one gentleman put it, “full of…”. I too have my strong opinions on the integrity of many of Sheriff Moore’s statements, but again, my personal opinion is not important. Cussing about it certainly is not going to help.

Voters need to decide if Sheriff Moore’s comments are honest and credible for themselves. I humbly suggest they simply Google “modular jails” like I did or they can review this partial list of completed modular jail/prison projects, three of which are in California. Nothing personal. Just the facts ma’am.

Montgomery County Correctional Facility
Eagleville, Pennslyania-512 beds

Queen Anne County Detention Center
Queen Anne’s County, MD

Somerset County Detention Center
Somerset County, MD

Pompano Detention Facility
Broward County, Florida -296 Beds

Barrie Prison
Ontario, Canada -32 Beds

Placer County Sheriff ’s Station
Auburn, California -32 Beds

Washoe County Detention Center
Reno, Nevada -96 Beds

Peoria Jail Addition
Peoria, Illinois -40 beds

Clermont County Law Enforcement and
Correctional Center Batavia, Ohio -40 Beds

Santa Rita Rehabilitation Center
Pleasanton, California -32 Beds

Palmer Public Safety Building
City of Palmer, Alaska -12 Beds

Essex County Women ’s Detention Center
Verona, New Jersey -68 Beds

Yuma County Detention Facility
Yuma, Arizona -42 Beds

City of Philadelphia Women ’s Facility
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania -50 Beds

Pompano Beach Detention Facility Addition
Broward County, Florida – 96 Beds

Wildwood Correctional Facility and
City of Sand Point Kenai and Sand Point, Alaska – 24 Beds

Mendocino County Jail Addition
Ukiah, California -80 Beds