As jail population drops, Santa Clara County weighs whether to build big — or build at all

AFTER WOBBLING ON THE IDEA for years, Santa Clara County leaders are struggling with how big the new jail should be when the incarcerated population has starkly declined since the pandemic. But they’re certain something will rise from the ground — even as they’re strapped for cash.

The county has started gathering community input on the needs of its crumbling jail system while simultaneously assessing the facilities’ conditions. Those efforts could lead to the construction of a new jail — the cost of which has historically ballooned the longer officials wait, from $390 million at one point to $689 million, then $747 million.