Vista is the oldest jail in the seven-jail system. The oldest part of the jail was constructed in 1972 and expanded in 1988 to approximately 200,000 sq ft. The facility infrastructure is obsolete, and the jail is recommended for replacement in the County's 2023 Detention Facility Strategic Framework Plan.

The vision for the new North County Detention and Re-entry is a facility that prioritizes public safety, positive behavioral change, reduced recidivism, and staff wellness. It will be designed around outcomes in those areas, ultimately improving lives.

Without the North County Detention facility, up to 800 incarcerated individuals will need to be released into the community.

The other jails within the system cannot absorb the current or future population of Vista Detention facility.

Jail populations fluctuate over time based on numerous factors outside the control of the Sheriff. A few examples include state actions (realignment of state prison populations to local jails), changes in state law (recent increases due to the passage of Proposition 36), crime rates, and events like COVID-19 which necessitated a change in booking criteria.

Prior to the pandemic, the systemwide jail population in San Diego County was around 5,600 people, well beyond the rated capacity of the jail system. Today, the population is around 4,200 but these numbers change daily. Jails take years and years to fund, plan, design and build. It is prudent to think now about the future needs of our community and to build a facility that will accommodate the anticipated increase in space needs aligned with the inevitable expansion in North County population.

The current Vista Detention Facility has a rated capacity of 807 beds. Looking into the future, the other jails within the system simply cannot take on the population currently housed at Vista Detention facility.

Rock Mountain Detention Facility, which is currently under construction, will continue to be used as "swing space" to accommodate unavoidable construction projects and renovations at the other aging six jails. Maintaining a jail system where "swing space" does not exist would constitute a major risk to the County of San Diego and to community safety.

North County is the only jail booking facility in North County. Proximity is important for the families of incarcerated people and for arresting officers. Imagine the child of an incarcerated man, who cannot visit her father because it is not feasible or possible to travel to a jail in Otay Mesa. And imagine an Oceanside or Carlsbad Police Officer who must travel to downtown San Diego to book an individual into jail – resulting in an excessive time away from patrol. Without North County jail, Sheriff's staff would spend countless hours bussing individuals to Vista (from Otay Mesa or downtown) for their court proceedings. These all represent unnecessary miles traveled. Also, Vista Court lacks adequate holding space and without North County jail, court proceedings would be delayed.

Additionally, no jail in the Sheriff's current system is built and designed consistent with today's national and state best practices. With jails that average 30+ years old, the detention facilities in San Diego County were not built with adequate rehabilitation space, and they were not constructed to accommodate long-term stays that are common today.

The new North County Detention and Re-entry facility will have sufficient space for physical and mental health professionals to provide the care needed by incarcerated individuals and amble space for education and rehabilitation, ultimately leading to improved public safety.