L.A. County supervisors approve jails funding application

Los Angeles County supervisors on Tuesday approved applying for $100 million in state funding to potentially pay for jail construction.


Some county officials have advocated a $1.4-billion plan to replace the overcrowded Men's Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles and part of the Pitchess Detention Center in Castaic, although several supervisors have balked at the price tag.

Supervisors have not decided whether to approve that plan or whether to pursue less costly alternatives. But they agreed to apply for the state funding. The county could later withdraw its application.

Several dozen protesters at the meeting urged supervisors not to approve any funding for jails, saying the money could be better used elsewhere.