L.A. County jails may expand

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The Board of Supervisors is hearing the debate on whether or not to spend $100 million in state funds to build and improve jail facilities.

Alexander Yim is the Chief of the Sheriff's department's Correctional Services Division who testified before the board for funding to improve jails in LA

"As you know we have some rather antiquated facilities. The central jail was built in the 60s and 70s so constantly needs repairs and our housing needs have changed a little bit," said Yim.

But opponents say LA's jail system needs to be reformed before it's expanded. Diana Zuniga, the statewide organizer of Californians United for Responsible Budget or CURB, says excessive use of force in the county's jails is widespread.

"It saddens me that we would be funneling  more state money and county money at the end of the day into expanding a system that continues to treat people inhumanely," said Zuniga.

LA's jails have come under scrutiny in recent years, as investigations involved incidents of deputy brutality and other misconduct. Zuniga believes the funds can be put to better use by creating a support system rather than incarcerating. 

"Throughout history, it doesn't seem that prisons or jails are actually an answer to stop people from recidivating. It's community input, community resources, community support within where they live that are actually keeping people out," said Zuniga.

The Board of Supervisors will make its decision on whether or not to fund the expansion of jails by next week.