By C1 Staff
MARIPOSA COUNTY — To fight the sudden influx of dangerous inmates relocated by AB 109, Mariposa County Jail is considering modular housing.
ABC News reports that the jail may use prefabricated housing to keep violent inmates away from those booked on minor offenses. It would be the first of its kind in the state.
The building would add 16 additional beds for minimum-security inmates. It would also create classroom space for treatment and education programs, so that the project would be paid for through state realignment funding.
The estimated price tag is $500,000.
Sheriff Doug Binnewies recently visited a prefabricated building in Canada, and was impressed by both its durability and efficiency.
County Supervisor Kevin Cann was skeptical at first, but later came to believe the prefabricated building is a good, safe option for the immediate future.
The board of supervisors approved about $20,000 for the site and project planning phase. If the project continues to be approved, it could be up and running in a year.