Alameda County Grand Jury: Viability Of Fremont Jail Being Assessed

FREMONT, CA -- Assessments are currently underway to determine whether the Fremont Jail remains viable or if the site could be better utilized., according to a newly released report by the Alameda County Grand Jury.

On Oct. 19, 2021, members of the Alameda County Grand Jury inspected the Fremont Police Department Detention Facility, commonly known as the Fremont Jail. The inspection focused on the condition of the facility, whether policies and procedures were in place and correctly implemented, and COVID-19 protocols.

The Grand Jury also reviewed services available to detainees while in custody. Significant changes have been made that affect many facets of the facility’s current operations because on July 1, 2021, the Fremont Jail ceased operations as a Type I facility. With the Type I classification, the jail was used for detention after booking, and arrestees were housed for not more than 96 hours (excluding holidays).

Currently, the jail operates as a temporary holding facility.

According to the 2021-2022 Alameda County Grand Jury Final Report, which is now available online at http://grandjury.acgov.org/reports.page, the transition of the Fremont Jail from a Type I facility to a temporary holding facility has resulted in unused space, a reduction in the number of detainees and a change in operational requirements.

"The Grand Jury learned that assessments are currently underway to determine whether the facility remains viable or if the site could be better utilized," the report states. "The Grand Jury found the Fremont Jail to be professionally managed and clean."

The report does not state who is conducting the assessments or when they might be complete.