A few key points about the jail proposal:

• When we decided to undertake revitalizing downtown, I don’t believe any of us had a new prison in mind and doubling the prison population that is released into our city. There are other possible sites for the new jail!
• This would be the 3rd San Mateo County Jail facility located in Redwood City.
• The two existing jails in Redwood City have a combined bed capacity for 834 inmates: San Mateo County Women’s Jail at 1590 Maple Street and the Maguire Correctional Facility at 300 Bradford Street (housing the more serious offenders). The Sheriff’s proposal will about double the current inmate population of Redwood City.
• The proposed site is inside the scope of the city's redevelopment plan. It will be one of the tallest buildings (5-stories) in the downtown skyline. The site is just a few blocks away from the historic courthouse, courthouse square, Fox Theatre, Century 20 theatres.
• The new jail we be used as the location for releasing criminals from incarceration.

The Sheriff's stated reasons for preferring to build on this downtown Redwood City site do make some sense from a purely pragmatic point of view:

• The new jail can be connected to the existing jail either above or below ground
• Redwood City is already accustomed to jail traffic in that part of downtown;
• Kitchen, laundry and medical services for the existing jail can also be used to service the new jail;
• The safety and expense of transporting inmates from the new jail to courthouse will be minimal;
• The land is owned by the county; and
• The size of the 3.5 acre site allows room for future expansion of additional jail services.

If you’re opposed to building this jail in its currently proposed location, then I suggest that you either attend the meeting in person on Tuesday, June 29th at 9am @ 400 County Center in Redwood City or if you can’t make the meeting, then consider calling the County Supervisors and make your opinion known.

Supervisor Rich Gordon – 363-1856 or 363-4569
Matt Jacobs, 599-1013 - Legislative aide to Rich Gordon
Andrew Berthelsen, 363-4528 - Legislative aide to Rich Gordon
Preston Burnes, 599-1016 - Legislative aide to Rich Gordon

Supervisor Rose Jacobs Gibson – 363-4570 (She represents the district where the proposed jail will be built)
Maya Perkins, 599-1009 - Legislative aide to Rose Jacobs Gibson
Jeanne Cuffey Tatum – (no number available) email – jctatum@sanmateo.ca.us - Legislative aide to Rose Jacobs Gibson

Supervisor Carole Groom – 363-4568
Juda Tolmasoff, 599-1005 – Legislative aide to Carole Groom
Eric Pawlowsky, 363-4314 – Legislative aide to Carole Groom
Gina Quiney, 363-4460 – Legislative aide to Carole Groom

Supervisor Mark Church – 363-4571
Edwin Chan, (no number or email available) Legislative aide to Mark Church

Supervisor Adrienne Tissier – 363-4572
Bill Chang, (no number or email available) Legislative aide to Adrienne Tissier