Inmates released from the main Santa Barbara County jail without money, or anywhere to go will again have transportation available to a safe place to spend the night.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office reached a deal with United Taxi to take people being released late at night to the Rescue Mission of Santa Barbara. Sheriff’s Office officials say the transportation allows former jail inmates the means to get to a safe place in a dignified way. During the day, released inmates are given bus tokens, but at night when buses aren’t running, it’s a seven mile walk from the jail to the Rescue Mission.
The county had a deal with another taxi service, but officials say the company backed out of the contract. It’s taken more than six months to find a company willing to replace it.