A SANTA CRUZ COUNTY JAIL ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM IS BEING HAILED AS ONE OF THE MOST INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS IN THE STATE. THE CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES ANNOUNCED THE MERIT AWARD LAST WEEK FOR THE COUNTY’S CUSTODY ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM. THE PROGRAM, WHICH RELOCATES LOCAL INMATES TO HOME CONFINEMENT, BEGAN AS AN EFFORT TO ADDRESS THE REDISTRIBUTION OF OFFENDERS IN STATE PRISON TO THEIR LOCAL JURISDICTION. THE PROGRAM WAS INITIALLY DESIGNED TO MAINTAIN HIGH STANDARDS OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
