OROVILLE (AP) — Butte County is abandoning a plan to use inmate welfare funds to help pay for a new jail.

The county wanted to use $685,000 from a fee on jail commissary items and inmate phone calls as part of its financial match for $40 million in construction funding from the state.

It reconsidered after the American Civil Liberties Union and members of the Board of State and Community Corrections said the proposal sent a bad message and might be illegal. The board approved the grant in November but encouraged the county to find an alternative.

County supervisors voted this week to use local law enforcement assistance funds instead.

The state is giving a total of $500 million to 15 counties to pay for construction projects intended to help rehabilitate prisoners.