Recently the Governor announced
his plan for California State Prison Reform to solve over-crowding problems.
Recommendations are that individuals who have been convicted and sentenced to three years
or less would remain in the local County jail system. Currently those sentenced to more
than one year are sent to State facilities. The Siskiyou County Jail runs at a 95%
capacity right now and individuals who have been convicted must make an appointment nine
months in advance to serve their jail term. It does not take a rocket scientist to see
that the Governor’s plan will shift the crisis right back onto local government.
To meet this anticipated demand, the Siskiyou County Board of
Supervisors has approved the development of a “Jail Needs Assessment” under
Title 24. The State has indicated that it will consider a 75% cost-share in the expansion
and building of new jail facilities, but the assessment will be required as one of the
first steps to qualify for the waiting list. The assessment should give us a better idea
of how, where and what kind of facilities might be added.
In addition, the State plan also recommends the return of all female
and low-level non-violent juvenile offenders to the local level. The State plans on
offsetting the costs of incarceration by paying $94,000 per individual to the County.
Fortunately we currently have an unoccupied “pod” at our Juvenile Hall, which
will allow for expansion. Regionally, the north state is looking at all its juvenile
facilities and examining whether certain facilities could specialize – for instance,
a girl’s camp or a Therapeutic Community specializing in drug and alcohol issues.
What makes this a particular crisis for Siskiyou County is its
potential future effect on the County’s General Fund. Budgets consist of a series of
earmarked pots of money that can only be spent on certain types of programs. For instance,
most Human Services programs are federal/state programs. Although the County is expected
to provide a minimal “match” of funds, programs are largely financed by funds
ear-marked just for them. Some, like Behavioral Health, are either Medi-Cal financed or
paid for in a lump sum as a State program.
Out of Siskiyou County’s $123 million budget, $33 million is
available for “discretionary” expenditures to cover services such as the jail,
juvenile hall, probation, Sheriff, District Attorney, Public Defender, County Counsel.
County Administrator, Assessor, Treasurer/Tax Collector,
County Clerk, Auditor, building and planning departments, library, animal
control, veterans services, museum, farm advisor, Ag Commissioner, Grand Jury, County
Courts, County Fire, economic development, arts and tourism promotion.
Revenues to the General Fund have been relatively static at
approximately $31million in fiscal year 04/05; $31million in 05/06; and an anticipated $31
million in 06/07. This is largely because Siskiyou County has not seen economic growth
that would boost tax revenue. The potential financial impact of expanded jail facilities,
the need for additional personnel to staff them and additional probation officers needed
after discharge is most likely to have a dramatic impact on departments and other programs
currently supported by the General Fund. |
