The Sarasota County Jail is over capacity and must be replaced. Increased county population, new laws and mandatory sentences have contributed to jail crowding. The Sarasota County Jail has had two major renovations jail to add capacity and can’t be further expanded. Diversion programs, alternative sentencing and expedited case process have helped reduce the jail's population, but can’t eliminate jail over-crowding.

The current jail is an out-of-date facility and doesn’t meet current needs for public safety, or the requirements of the Sheriff’s Office, law enforcement agencies or the court system. The inefficient operation of the current jail also requires additional staffing and funding.

Jail space limitations also restrict the availability of treatment and rehabilitation programs that help reduce re-arrests and the number of future crime victims. The current jail also faces the possible loss of accreditation and  increases county liability. Continual jail crowding also may lead to forced early prisoner releases.

A new Sarasota County jail is needed to help assure public safety. The Sheriff’s Office, law enforcement agencies and the courts also need a jail that enables them to carry out their own their responsibilities.