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Sheriff weighs contracting jail medical and hospital security as jail population falls
Summary
Sheriff Mike Hennessy told supervisors a sustained decline in jail population has allowed closure of one San Bruno facility; he proposed contracting jail medical services and some hospital security functions, prompting controller analysis that contracting could save between $3M and $11M depending on assumptions.
Sheriff Mike Hennessy told the Budget and Finance Committee that a notable drop in the county jail population since March allowed the department to close one San Bruno facility and reduce overtime, but that his budget still includes two major contracting proposals: outsourcing jail medical services (a Proposition J matter) and shifting some security at city hospitals to Department of Public Health or a contract provider.
The Sheriff said his proposed budget assumes these contracts; if the Board does not approve contracting, his department will need to realign other budget lines to provide those services in‑house. The controller’s office provided an updated Proposition J analysis showing two models: a city‑rate contract model and a private‑rate staffing model. Without a formal RFP and firm contractor bids, the controller estimated a savings range of $3 million to $11 million, depending on whether private sector wages/benefits or city‑rate assumptions are used.
Department planning and union talks: Both Sheriff and jail‑health leadership said they are pursuing internal savings in response to the population decline and have identified about $1M in potential in‑house savings (through vacancies and reassignments). The department and the unions were in meet‑and‑confer about possible implementation changes; the Sheriff stressed that maintaining clinical quality and registered‑nurse staffing is a core concern if contracting is considered.
Public comment and committee direction: Nurses and SEIU representatives testified against contracting, citing clinical risk if licensed RN staffing were reduced in favor of LVNs; union speakers suggested using existing city kitchens (in other departments) for juvenile food services and preserving in‑house expertise for health functions. The committee asked controller, DPH and sheriff’s staff to continue joint review of staffing alternatives that might preserve civil‑service positions while yielding structural savings.
Next steps: The committee continued the Proposition J items and directed further analysis, including potential staffing redesigns tied to the decreased jail population and any MOU implications required to preserve clinical standards.
