Controversy surrounds idea to build new San Francisco jail

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- There is controversy over building a new jail in San Francisco since the city already has an empty one in San Bruno. Officials say transportation from the city to San Bruno is costly.

The San Francisco Police Department moved out of the Hall of Justice earlier this year, but sheriff's deputies and the inmates are among those who are still inside the earthquake hazard. Now, there is a plan to move them out.

San Francisco's Hall of Justice ranks high on the state's list of seismically unsafe buildings and that includes two county jail facilities, including the one on the 7th floor. It opened in 1958 and is slated for closure under a proposal to build a new facility next door.

"The rehabilitation of a detention facility addresses a real need, not only for the county jail system, but public safety in 2020," San Francisco Chief Deputy Sheriff Matthew Freeman said.

Wednesday's hearing was over a request from the Sheriff's Department to apply for $80 million in state money to help pay for the new $240 million facility, but the debate is centering on whether San Francisco should even build a jail. One opponent called the jail a gilded cage.

"You can't make a jail more humane, because locking up people in cages has never been humane," said one speaker.

Opponents want the money diverted to mental health and drug treatment programs, but Supervisor Mark Farrell says the county will still need a new jail. He told ABC7 News, "To think we're not going to have a continuing need for a jail facility in San Francisco moving forward, which some people are suggesting, is to me completely unrealistic."

There are several facilities that make up San Francisco's jail system, including two in San Bruno. One sits empty because officials say transportation costs and inadequate security are reasons, but Supervisor Jane Kim wants all options examined.

"The question I have is did the city look at every single alternative? Have we looked at ways to reduce the costs the best that we can," Kim said.

A new jail could open in 2020.