Orange County jails are becoming increasingly dangerous as they fill with inmates who are more violent, more seasoned and staying longer.  The changes are the result of a state law designed to reduce the population of state prisons and shift the responsibility to county jails.

Safety is a top concern as more experienced inmates serve time in local lockups. Deputies said they are finding more drugs and contraband and dealing with a tougher breed of inmate – one that is a threat not only to guards, but also to other inmates.

"The dynamics of (the jails) have changed," said Sgt. Gary Tinoco, who until recently oversaw the Orange County Sheriff Department's inmate classification unit. "I don't know if you've been to a prison, or toured a prison, but it's starting to look like a prison."

Read more at the OC Register