Santa Clara County Approves $1B Jail Overhaul | San Jose News

San Jose News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 26, 2026 · 1m

Santa Clara County is moving ahead with a $1 billion plan to rebuild its crumbling jails, after supervisors unanimously approved the framework — despite fierce community backlash demanding “no new jails.” The project, driven by legal mandates and years of lawsuits over poor conditions, targets outdated facilities in Milpitas and San Jose, aiming to upgrade medical care, mental health services, and inmate access. While critics warn of soaring costs and urge investment in prevention, officials insist the overhaul is urgent — not just to comply with law, but to reduce recidivism and improve…