The current Indio Jail is able to detain about 350 inmates.  The county board of supervisors, though, has said a plan to add an additional 1,250 beds continues to gain traction.

A source close to the project said they will be reviewing the environmental impact report before the end of the month.

The project is expected to conclude by 2016.  Once it's finished the new facility will be referred to as the East County Detention Center.  The construction has been among the county's top priorities since 2011.

That was the year the state's inmate realignment program first took effect.  The realignment came about after the US Supreme Court ordered California to reduce its prisoner population to no more than 137.5% of rated capacity.  Lawmakers initially scrambled to find a solution.  It was later agreed that certain detainees should be transferred from state prisons to county jails in order to serve out the remainder of their sentences.

The US Supreme Court has recently found the state is still detaining about 10,000 too many prisoners.  They have ordered prisons to comply with the reduction order before the end of the year.  Local facilities are still struggling to deal with the needs of those who have already been shifted into their care.  Sheriff's from throughout the state are concerned about what will happen after the last 10,000 bodies are relocated to county jails.

The Riverside supervisors had initially pitched constructing a 7,200 bed mid-county Indio Jail.  That project was shelved, largely due to construction fees and anticipated operational costs.

Those close to the project say there are still many ducks that will need to be lined up in order to ensure the expansion is a success.  This includes firming up a $100 million state grant.  The total construction costs, they said, are expected to top $235 million.

Others feel that number is grossly underestimated.  They have forecast costs will topple $400 million after all is said and done.

Long-term inmate bed needs are still being reviewed.  The realignment is just the tip of the iceberg.  The county will still need to plan for the future detention needs brought on by local shorter-term criminals.   One expert believes that Riverside jails will need an additional 4,000 beds within the next seven years.   Current expansion projects will help offset about 75% of that need.

The supervisors reportedly feel good about the pending environmental impact report for the East County Detention Center.  Further information as to when the Indio Jail expansion project will break ground is not yet available.