The walls have been raised and inmates have moved in, but there’s more to be done at the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office’s Northern Branch Jail to launch various programs deemed key for success upon releasing prisoners after serving their time.
That includes educational programs of various types to help keep inmates from reoffending and landing back in custody once they leave jail.
“We would have hoped that when the first inmate came in, we would have had all the programs that we want to do ready. But with the health order and COVID, it was just hard,” Lt. Bill Wolf said.
In late January, some 240 inmates moved into the new facility designed with 376 beds.
“We want to keep these inmates busy. If the inmates are bored they’re going to make sure that the custody deputy is not, so we need to make sure we keep these guys productively occupied,” Wolf said.
Some of the initial inmates already have been assigned jobs in the kitchen, laundry and landscaping teams.
Inside the laundry room, inmates will learn how to operate the washers and dryers, work sewing machines for mattress repairs and add labels that will be stamped with the words “Northern Branch Jail.”
“They’re going to be learning skills here and inside the kitchen,” Wolf said, adding talks have start about creating a culinary program.
The agency linked up with Allan Hancock College for educational classes with an eye toward helping inmates earn a high school equivalency certificate or getting vocational training so they are equipped with skills to land a job outside of jail.
More than 50 students enrolled in the first round of classes at the Northern Branch Jail, authorities said.
The first inmates arrived at the jail about two months after officials gathered to celebrate completion.
“They’re understanding what we’re trying want to do, and I’m constantly telling the inmates of the possibilities of the future,” he said. “The dog program is something really big.”
That dog program, modeled after Pawsitive Change at the California City Correctional Facility, would pair inmates and shelter dogs for six weeks to benefit both two-legged and four-legged beings.
Jail staff and leaders from a nonprofit organization learned more about the program during a tour several years ago.
“They were able to see the great strides that could be made when a dog is involved in something,” Wolf said, recalling the role of the bulldog Tess, who walked through the jail and help lower stress levels for both inmates and staff.
Once the dogs complete the training, they would be up for adoption to anyone in the community.
“I’ve seen a lot programs. Hopefully this one takes off,” Wolf said.
One room in the jail features a couch and kids’ table designed to reunify families and ensure success for an inmate about to leave jail and rejoin life in the community.
Several different agencies reportedly have expressed an interest in this type of program.
Rehabilitation of inmates who will leave jail and re-enter the community remains a key focus amid efforts to trim the number of repeat offenders, Sheriff Bill Brown said in his recent re-election announcement.
Most who enter the jail won’t head to prison but will return to their communities.
He noted the Latin motto visibile above an arch at the Northern Branch Jail’s front entrance and other doorways inside, The motto in English says, “Every person is the architect of their own destiny.”
“That theme is prevalent in this jail and by being treated with respect and learning the skills about life, the vocational skills, anger management and addiction control, those who enter in here while they are in our custody can come out understanding that they really can control their destiny, and within these walls get the tools to become productive and successful members of our community when they are released,” Brown said.
— Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.