CITY OFFICIALS LEFT OUT OF JAIL PROCESS COUNTY TALKS FOCUSING ON HOW TO DEAL WITH INMATE OVERCROWDING.

Byline: SUE DOYLE Staff Writer

CASTAIC -- Housing and security for Los Angeles County's 19,000 jail inmates returns for a second round of talks today between the Sheriff's Department and the Board of Supervisors.

So far, expansion of Pitchess Detention Center remains high on the list as officials consider ways to ease jail overcrowding. County officials will review these plans during a hearing scheduled for 3 p.m.

But as these discussions continue downtown, some local officials complain they have been left out of proposals that could bring up to 2,400 more inmates to the complex at Interstate 5 and Hasley Canyon Road.

``To say we are concerned is accurate,'' said Gail Ortiz, Santa Clarita spokeswoman. ``At this point and time, we would be seeking information on it.''

City officials have not yet seen any reports or plans from the county about the possible jail expansion, said Ortiz, who then wondered if residents would be included in talks.

Last month, Sheriff Lee Baca presented six proposals to relieve jail overcrowding after supervisors requested a review of jail needs following this year's deadly inmate riots. Without enough beds in county jails, the department has released inmates early, with many serving less than 10 percent of their sentences.

Plans include building a medium-security facility for 1,000 men and a ranch-style unit for 1,000 women at Pitchess. A new high-security wing to hold 400 more inmates at North County Correctional Facility was also recommended. Today the four jails on the Pitchess complex house about 9,000 inmates.

Sheriff's proposals also involve transferring female inmates from Century Regional Detention Center in Lynwood and reopening Sybil Brand Jail, the East Los Angeles women's facility had closed in 1998. The move could free up room inside the Lynwood facility for about 1,800 male inmates.

This could be the second move for these women, who were sent from Twin Towers to the previously closed Lynwood jail in March to make more room for male inmates in need of high-security settings following racial brawls at Pitchess that left one dead.

At that time, violence among inmates shook the county's jail system, and a second man was killed in a fight in his cell at the Men's Central Jail downtown.

The Castaic Area Town Council recently sent a letter to the board with concerns about possible expansion at Pitchess. Council President Lloyd Carder was troubled that the advisory board was not included in the county's discussion.

``The only thing I was upset about was that we weren't included in the process. We have long worked with the Honor Ranch, jail -- whatever they want to call it,'' he said. ``We have a community outreach group, and they weren't notified.''

Pitchess Commander Don Rodriguez spoke about the sheriff's expansion proposals at the advisory body's monthly meeting in July, which few residents attended.

sue.doyle(at)dailynews.com

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