Board extends Pretrial Diversion Project contract by one year and increases funding despite data concerns

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 10–1 on May 5 to authorize a fifth amendment to the agreement between the Sheriff’s Office and the San Francisco Pretrial Diversion Project Inc., extending the contract through June 30, 2021, and increasing the contract by $5,900,000 for a new not‑to‑exceed total of $15,600,000.

Supervisor Stephanie told the board she has been a past supporter of pretrial services but said she could not vote for the extension without clearer information on how the program measures appearance and safety rates and how recidivism is calculated over a client’s entire pretrial period. “It does not appear to me that the Pretrial Diversion Project follows the standards recommended by the National Association of Pretrial Services Agencies or the National Institute of Corrections,” she told colleagues, adding that she received some answers only minutes before the meeting.

During roll call, supervisors recorded their votes; Supervisor Stephanie cast the only no vote. Supporters said the program will expand rapidly as jail populations drop and noted the board had funded add‑back support for the service in prior budgets. The Board adopted the contract extension by a 10–1 vote with the dissent recorded by Supervisor Stephanie.

The amendment authorizes retroactive extension of services through June 30, 2021, and increases funding to support expected caseload increases as the jail population is reduced. The board did not adopt additional specific performance‑measurement changes at the meeting.