County of San Diego SB 618 Reentry Program May 3, 2007 1
California Recidivism - The Highest Return to Prison Rate in the Nation In FY 2006-07 it is estimated that San Diego County will convict over 16,000 felony defendants*. 98% of all California prisoners will be released from prison at some point**. Only 21% of California parolees successfully complete parole half of the national average and two out of three inmates returning to prison are parolees***. *District Attorney Case Management System, Estimated from the first 11 months of the Fiscal Year 2005-06. **Bureau of Justice Statistics Reentry Trends in the U.S. Highlights, 2006. ***California Policy Research Center, University of California, Understanding California Corrections- Joan Petersilia, 2006. 2
Why Do People Reoffend? Primarily Substance Abuse and Addiction: 42% of California inmates estimated to have high need for alcohol treatment. Now, only 7.5% of those will participant in some treatment in prison*. 56% of California inmates have a high need for drug treatment (49% nationally) Now, only 9% of those will participate in drug treatment in prison*. *California Policy Research Center, University of California, Understanding California Corrections- Joan Petersilia, 2006. 3
What Should Be Done? SB 618 Legislation sponsored by San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis. Authored by State Senator Jackie Speier, SB 618 was signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger on October 6, 2005 and became effective in January of 2006. There is no sunset date. 4
SB 618 Community Reentry What it is A new law that authorizes changes in the criminal justice system for San Diego County s non-violent, state prison-bound offenders and how they are assessed, treated, educated, managed, prepared for release and assisted upon release to become successful in their lives. 5
SB 618 Community Reentry A pilot project What it isn t A program for violent offenders Does not change the length of the prison sentence. Does not change the traditional roles of each agency in the criminal justice system. 6
SB 618 Plan Development Team The SB 618 requires the plan to be developed by and have the concurrence of: Superior Court District Attorney Sheriff Probation Public Defender, and; Approval of the County Board of Supervisors. 7
Additional SB 618 Plan Development Team Members The San Diego Reentry Roundtable and its thirteen (13) work groups. Community and Faith-based organizations 8
Major Program Elements Evidence-Based Assessment and Treatment Comprehensive Offender Pre-sentence Assessment Life Plan Development Expeditious Assignment to In-Custody Treatment - No Change in Length of Commitment Prison Case Management Community Case Management Transitional and Aftercare Services Program Outcome Measures and Accountability 9
Risks Financial Risk: The Program is not mandated. However, like all state funded programs, it requires annual appropriations in the State Budget. Program Failure Risk: The risks are few, because current return to prison rates are unacceptably high. 10
Benefits Better coping and compliance with the conditions of parole Safer Communities - Fewer crimes committed to support drug habits Less victimization Cost avoidance to criminal justice institutions 11
Branching Affects Increased labor pool of clean & sober, qualified and motivated employees. Higher functioning parents. (80% of state female inmates and 56% of male inmates have children under 18 years.)* Improvement in educational achievement. Communities adversely affected disproportionately by incarceration may experience significant benefits. *California Research Bureau, March 2000 12
Community Needs 13
Community Needs Feedback San Diego Reentry Roundtable members consulted on the needs of the San Diego community to support successful community re-entry. entry. Identified needs have been categorized into: one-time, short-term, term, and long-term needs. 14
One-time Facility Needs Deferred maintenance of owned facilities. Facility upgrades and expansion costs Conditional Use Permit (CUP) fees Taxes Food for residents in treatment programs New and replacement furniture (beds, lockers, refrigerators & storage) New and replacement vehicles (vans) Information technology: new computers, upgrades, hardware maintenance, support 15
Short-term term Service Provider Needs In-service staff training to maintain proficiencies Public education to promote community unification and education related to community re-entry entry Legal services (CUP s( & zoning) Public relations resources to develop and communicate good neighbor policies & practices 16
Long-term Client Needs Flexible funds for: GED, DUI Classes, Therapy, Parenting Class, Anger Management Public transportation expenses Fees for vital documents: ID, Drivers License, Birth Certificate, Social Security Card Employment related: bonding, licensing Professional work clothing & work uniforms 17
Long-Term Client Needs Flexible funds for: (continued) Dental care (Meth Mouth) Health care Tattoo removal Criminal record expungement Personal hygiene products 18