Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Open Board of Directors
San Bernardino Community College District
114 S. Del Rosa Drive
San Bernardino, CA 92408
Minutes
Present: Dimitrios Alexious, Ann Bryan, Bill Easley, Lois Lauer, Neil Macready, John Mirau, Charlie Ng, Mike Page, John Prentice, Kristine Scott, Paul Shimoff, Phil Waller and Stan Weisser.
Guests: Robbie Broedow, Ray Gonzalez, Rod Hoops and Stephen Wall.
Announcements: 1) A free Water Conference sponsored by Congressman Joe Baca will be held on October 20, 2011 from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at the Inland Regional Center n San Bernardino. For more information please go to the Events area on our website home page. 2) Pacific Gas & Electric has been recommended for membership to Inland Action. Ray Gonzalez will serve as their member. The membership will be asked to vote at the October 18, 2011.
M/S/P: Minutes of the October 4, 2011 meeting.
Charlie Ng introduced Chief Michelle Scray.
It is no secret that our prison system is broken as shown by the statewide 67% recidivism rate and the Federal Court order to reduce the number of prisoners we have in our overcrowded jails. The Public Safety Realignment Act (AB 109) signed by Governor Brown in April essentially displaces the responsibility for the supervision of “low-level” offenders from the state to the local level.
A dynamic expansion of services is needed to address the significant challenges faced by local jurisdictions. The County of San Bernardino has a very co-operative team that includes the Probation Dept., Police and Sheriff, the District Attorney, Public Defender and many representatives from the County Dept. of Social Services. Funding for this realignment has been appropriated for 2011-2012 Fiscal Year, but no further.
Although the wording in many news reports and press releases may lead us to believe otherwise, according to state officials, no inmates currently in prison will be transferred to County jails. The two populations affected are 1) those that are released from state prison who will be supervised and receive treatment for medical and mental health concerns by the County and 2) the “triple non’s” (non-violent, non-sexual, non-serious offenders) will no longer be sent to state prison but must now serve locally. The new classification of “non’s” is solely based on the current conviction. It does not recognize prior criminal history that may encompass more serious or violent crimes, gang involvement and or history of habitual non-compliant conduct. In the past our county on average sends 300 offenders every month to state prisons.
Our prisons are at full capacity and in order to put someone in jail here, someone must first be released. Construction of the new facility in Adelanto is expected to be complete in 2013, but there is no funding to staff it. As housing is not an option, alternatives will be implemented such as: home detention for low level offenders, local jail credits that mirror prison (day-for-day) and Day Reporting Centers (DRC). In the last four years San Bernardino County has utilized the DRC’s successfully with juvenile offenders. The Probation Department has plans to expand this model for the adult population. The three DRC’s that are planned for adults will be located in the Central Valley, West Valley and High Desert. The DRC services will ensure accountability and provide the offender with a “one stop concept” that offers a variety of comprehensive treatment services to assist them in transitioning successfully into the community. Comprehensive treatment services will assist offenders with substance abuse, improve health issues, finding and maintaining employment and family services. Community based organizations will be sought and utilized to augment the DRC resources.
Intermediate sanctions, also know as intermediate punishments or penalties, include assignment to intensive supervision programs, State fire camp, home confinement with or without electronic monitoring, monetary penalties (fines and restitution) and compulsory labor in the form of community service.
The Department currently supervises 19,000 adult offenders. Based on the statistics they have been provided, they anticipate 2,500 offenders will be added by June 2012. That number is expected to increase to between 5,500 and 6,500 offenders in the second and third year of the realignment.
Implementation of this new system will have challenges however San Bernardino County has significant advantages over other counties with their progressive supervision system and their collaborative partnerships with County Sheriff’s and County Social Services. Funding must continue for the plan’s success.
A Q & A period followed.
Meeting adjourned at 8:35 a.m.