Here we have more prisoners being released and put on a realignment program, that will be putting even more criminals in the rooms with vulnerable members of society, including adolescents.
County plan to deal with ‘realigned’ convicts OK’d
Calaveras County leaders Tuesday approved a plan for overseeing formerly prison-bound criminals now in county custody under the state’s prison “realignment plan.”
The 55-page document, approved by the Board of Supervisors, outlines how Calaveras County will implement a realignment called for in Assembly Bill 109. The bill followed a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that California must reduce prison overcrowding.
As part of the plan, some former inmates who would have been released to parole supervision are now monitored by county probation and law enforcement. Some crimes that would have garnered prison sentences instead result in county jail time.
Members of a planning committee split regarding the details of the plan but reached unanimous consensus on it last month after additional negotiations.
The county is in line for $475,507 in AB 109 funding this year but officials remain concerned as to how it will be funded beyond 2013. As her colleagues expressed their apprehensions about the long-term financing, Supervisor Merita Callaway reminded them they voted 3-2 against supporting Gov. Jerry Brown’s tax initiative at the California State Association of Counties, with Steve Wilensky joining her in the minority.
The AB 109 plan supports funding of a full-time administrative analyst, full-time sheriff’s deputy to assist probation and monitor the caseload of those on “post-release community supervision,” a full-time deputy probation officer, four-fifths time probation aide, half-time program coordinator for a day reporting center, half-time probation aide, half-time drug counselor and quarter-time career counselor.
Also included is $3,200 for emergency housing for convicts returning to the county who do not have a home. One such individual is now housed at a halfway house in Burson that has 10 beds, Hall said.
The plan also calls for programs available outside of custody such as parenting classes, Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, Bible study, mental health counseling and “Courage to Change” to be offered in the new county jail once completed next spring.
“It’s been a long journey but we’re finally here,” said Chief Probation Officer Teri Hall, chairwoman of the seven-member panel including law enforcement and behavioral health officials that derived the plan.
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