From the DataCenter's Youth Strategy Project, Winter 2002:

'No Super Jail for Youth' in Alameda County

Youth activists and community organizations are battling the Alameda County, California, Board of Supervisors over plans to build an enormous new juvenile hall in the small city of Dublin. Youth Force Coalition, a project of the Youth Empowerment Center, and Books Not Bars, a project of the Ella Baker Center, are demanding that Alameda County replace the current decrepit facility, but not expand the number of beds for inmates. Funds would be better spent, they argue, on alternatives to locking youth up.

The Super Jail, as the proposed facility is called, was originally slated to hold 540 beds - almost double the capacity of the existing juvenile hall. Youth activists have already succeeded in lowering the number of beds to 420, and are working to decrease it even further.

Research has played an important role in the struggle. Youth Force Coalition and Books Not Bars turned to the DataCenter for information on how the new facility was to be funded. We explained the application and decision-making process, provided details about opportunities for input and organizing, and in-depth profiles on the design and construction companies to build the facility.

Armed with this knowledge, Youth Force organized a protest at the Board of Corrections Executive Committee meeting in Sacramento April 5th. They took about 45 youth to the meeting, issued their demands, requested time to speak, and talked with the committee members. The Committee recommended that Alameda only get $2.3 million for expansion, not the $21.1 million requested.

In May, Youth Force Coalition, Books Not Bars and their allies attended the full Board of Corrections meeting in San Diego, and convinced the Board not to give Alameda County any of the recommended $2.3 million. At their urging, the Board rejected Alameda County's funding request to expand the juvenile hall, leaving the bed count at 330. Alameda County's Board President, who favors expansion, believes the youth activists' opposition was responsible for the rejection.

The county next turned to another source to build the larger facility: its $130 million property trust fund, and is considering a 420 bed facility. Youth Force, Books Not Bars, and community activists are pressuring the Alameda County Board of Supervisors to use funds to renovate Fairmont Hospital, which cares for 250,000 uninsured families, and to fund alternatives to juvenile incarceration. The Board is now actively considering these policy options. The DataCenter is continuing to provide research on the connections between Supervisors and the Super Jail developers to inform the organizers' campaign strategy.

For further information or to get involved, contact: Rachel Jackson, Books Not Bars, (415) 951-4844 x28, or Fela Thomas, Youth Force Coalition: (510) 451-5466 x301.