Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Sheriff Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sheriff highlights jail population decline, reentry and vocational programs in budget briefing
Summary
Sheriff’s Department presented reductions in jail population, closure of County Jail No. 3 and programmatic expansions (reentry pod, electronic monitoring, vocational training and ACA enrollment). The department requested targeted staffing and program support, including a clinician for eviction assistance and funds to backfill overtime.
The Sheriff (presenting to the Budget and Finance Committee) described a notable decline in the jail population and the first‑time closure of County Jail No. 3 (the Sixth Floor of the Hall of Justice). The sheriff said closing the facility allowed staff reallocation and operational efficiencies and that the department is redirecting resources toward programs intended to reduce recidivism.
The presentation highlighted a suite of in‑custody and reentry programs: an expanded role helping inmates enroll in health coverage under the Affordable Care Act; a vocational training push (horticulture and bike repair programs and plans for construction trades training); a reentry pod pilot for AB109‑eligible detainees to receive wraparound services up to 60 days before release; and expanded visitation and post‑custody supports. The sheriff also said the department ran a successful electronic monitoring program in 2013 (359 participants on EM with a 93 percent success rate).
Operational issues flagged included the need for a field training officer (FTO) program, concerns about dispatch services and billing from Department of Emergency Management, long‑term disability backfill needs (roughly 20–25 positions affected), and a request for a clinician to assist the Sheriff’s eviction assistance unit to de‑escalate crisis situations during evictions.
On finance, the Sheriff’s CFO requested a transfer of about $115,000 from unexpended food budgets to cover an expected overtime shortfall; the committee approved the ordinance without objection after the budget analyst's recommendation.
What’s next: The department will continue deliberations with the mayor’s budget office and the Board of Supervisors on staffing, civilianization of records and any supplemental funding needs.
