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Supervisors weigh jail health costs and alternative custody plan as county seeks ways to reduce incarceration spending
Summary
Supervisors discussed rising jail health care costs and the county's push for an Alternative Custody Program (ACP). CEO Dave Rickert and Supervisor Plummer highlighted high per‑inmate medical spending, substance use and behavioral‑health needs; supervisors urged pursuing ACP and other interventions to reduce recidivism and costs.
Board members used Aug. 12 staff reports and board reports to discuss rising costs for in‑custody medical care and to press forward on an Alternative Custody Program (ACP) the county is pursuing.
Supervisor Matt Plummer told the board the county’s contracted jail health provider, Wellpath, reported a significant increase in health spending per inmate over two years, driven in part by high rates of substance use disorder, chronic disease and prescription psychotropic medication among the incarcerated population. Plummer cited statistics shared by staff: about 49 percent of inmates have substance‑use disorders, 68 percent have chronic disease, and 57 percent are on psychiatric medications. He said the county’s health spending per inmate is “the highest rate” among other counties served by Wellpath.
Sheriff leadership and others have promoted an alternative custody model to treat appropriate detainees in community‑based settings; supervisors and the CEO said ACP should both expand treatment access and free jail beds for people who present public safety risks. CEO Dave Rickert said the county has been negotiating related campus and program ideas and that additional funding from state and federal sources would be essential.
Supervisor Plummer also briefed the board on homelessness housing efforts — a hotel conversion interest in Redding, and persistent delays on a Veterans Village project in Shasta Lake that might be eligible for Homekey Plus funding. Board members urged developers and community partners to engage with county staff to pursue state housing grants.
Separately, Plummer reported a briefing from the California State Association of Counties warning that changes in federal food‑assistance match rates (CalFresh) would shift a larger share of costs to states and counties; he asked staff to monitor and plan for budget impacts.
Board discussion framed ACP and criminal justice reforms as both fiscal and public‑safety priorities; supervisors repeatedly said treatment and diversion for people with substance use and mental health disorders could reduce long‑term county costs and recidivism.
