San Luis Obispo, CA -- Overcrowding at the San Luis Obispo County women’s jail and an antiquated health facility at the California Men’s Colony were two concerns raised in a report released yesterday by the county’s civil grand jury. Both facilities have received funding to improve over the next three years.

The county women’s jail housed 82 inmates the day grand jurors visited the facility. It was built for 43. The county Board of Supervisors in February approved plans for a new women’s jail, which is to include 196 beds, more room for programs and classes and a new medical facility for both male and female inmates. The plan was approved in part do to the prospect of a $25 million state grant for the project. The county would furnish $11 million and pick up ongoing costs after the jail is built. Grand jurors noted that the prison’s health facility is old and difficult for staff to manage. Medical records are filed as hard copies, taking up much of the facility’s storage area, and working areas have become crowded with equipment. Groundbreaking has started on a mental health crisis facility that will include 50 beds.

Grand jurors wrote that the facilities they viewed were generally well managed, but ongoing and anticipated budget cuts have posed challenges to maintaining programs, services and staffing levels at their facilities.