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Supervisor Long backs pilot offender release liaison to reduce recidivism and coordinate services
Summary
Supervisor Long described a proposed pilot 'offender release liaison' program led by the sheriff to reduce recidivism by coordinating release times and connecting people leaving jail to services, and said partner agencies and health providers are already engaged in planning.
Supervisor Long described a county pilot meant to reduce recidivism by improving the transition from incarceration to community services.
Long said the program — described to the board as an offender release liaison (ORL) pilot — would designate a liaison in the jail to coordinate release times and connect people being released with housing, behavioral health and other services. "Basically, what it's going to be is they're going to designate a liaison in the jail and they're going to mitigate...weird release hours so people aren't getting out at 2 a.m. with nowhere to go," Long said.
Long said HHSA, probation officials, jail staff and local providers such as Hill Country are participating in planning and that the sheriff will lead and continue to maintain the program. He described the effort as a pilot in California and said the county will work through workshop meetings to shape operations and partnerships.
Board members and public commenters expressed support for measures that link released people directly to services; one public commenter noted that day-reporting centers contact inmates prior to release to help them find housing or programs. The board did not vote on a program ordinance or budget at the meeting; further workshops and staff work were anticipated.
