Placer County Sheriff's Office opens major expansion of South Placer Jail

The Placer County Sheriff's Office is celebrating the opening of two major expansion projects at the South Placer Jail: the new mental health facility and the medium security vocational training facility. Construction began in March 2023, and a ribbon-cutting event was held Oct. 8, which officially marked the completion of the more than 55,000 square-foot space designed to enhance mental healthcare, provide vocational training and improve long-term outcomes for individuals in custody. Law enforcement officials, including Placer County Sheriff Wayne Woo, attended the event. The 16,300 square-foot mental health facility is designed to meet the growing need for treatment services within the jail system. According to Placer County officials, the facility features: * Three 15-bed pods with a total capacity of 45 beds. * Individual cells, dayrooms and recreation yards. * Multipurpose counseling and interview rooms. * Exam rooms and support spaces. * A central officer custody station. * A secure corridor connects the facility to the existing jail, ensuring safe and efficient access. The new mental health facility will provide acute treatment services and expand care for individuals deemed incompetent to stand trial. There is also a medium security vocational training facility, which totals nearly 39,000 square feet. The facility introduces opportunities for education and rehabilitation, according to Placer County officials. Key features include: * Two new housing units with 120 beds, including single and double bunks within shared cells. * Dayrooms, recreation yards and multipurpose classrooms for programming. * Vocational shops to provide job training and employment skills. * In-person and video visitation areas. * A public lobby and office space for administrative and staff support. The vocational training facility will offer structured training programs with the goal of reducing recidivism and preparing individuals for employment after release, Woo said during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. "These new housing units increase our capacity to ensure accountability while also opening pathways for rehabilitation and reentry. They reflect our commitment to improving outcomes for individuals in custody and enhancing public safety in Placer County," said Woo. "By breaking the cycle of recidivism and giving people the tools to become productive members of society, we are investing in a safer, stronger community." "This project reflects Placer County's commitment to investing wisely in solutions that deliver long-term value for our residents," said District 1 Supervisor Bonnie Gore. "By expanding mental health treatment and vocational training within our correctional system, we are reducing future costs, improving outcomes and enhancing public safety. These facilities demonstrate how thoughtful, fiscally responsible planning can make a meaningful difference for individuals and the community as a whole." Following the ribbon cutting, guests were invited to tour both facilities and learn more about the services they will provide.