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Probation Department recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Amendment I to Agreement for Services 4371 with SCRAM of California, for the Electronic Monitoring Program (home detention as a custody alternative) to increase the amount of the contract by $300,000 for a total not to exceed amount of $800,000 for the term of January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2022; and incorporate SCRAM Ally, a new Domestic Violence Notification Mobile App; and
2) Authorize the Purchasing Agent, or designee, to execute further documents relating to Agreement for Services 4371, including amendments which do not increase the maximum dollar amount or term of the Agreement, and contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management.
FUNDING: Public Safety Realignment (AB 109) (67.5%); Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (25%); Substance Abuse Focus Grant (3%); and General Fund (4.5%).
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The Probation Department has been continuously operating the Electronic Monitoring Program (EMP) since 2006 to provide home detention services as a custody alternative for appropriate offenders
On April 4, 2011, then-Governor Jerry Brown signed into law Assembly Bill (AB) 109, referred to as 2011 Public Safety Realignment. AB 109 was later modified by AB 117. Both bills taken together created extensive changes to existing laws, which reduce the number of offenders eligible for incarceration in state prison, and "realigns" these offenders to local entities who are now responsible to manage the specified offenders.
The past few years, notably 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, have seen a significant increase in the Court's practice of releasing defendants from custody, thus increasing orders from the courts to use Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) and Continuous Alcohol Monitoring (CAM) tracking devices. On April 30, 2018, funding through the Pre-Trial Supervision Program (PTSP) Grant ended and was not renewed. As a result, the cost of defendants being placed on any electronic monitoring device through the PTSP will no longer be reimbursed. However, the Court has directed the continuance of the PTSP beyond the grant end date, which causes all responsibilities and contract costs to be absorbed by the Probation Department’s (Probation) budget. With the increase in Pretrial orders to electronic monitoring supervision the increase in not to exceed amount is necessary to continue to provide court-ordered services.
Probation has utilized the “Full Service Program,” offered by SCRAM which will dedicate a part time SCRAM employee to complete the installations and removals of the electronic monitoring devices, a responsibility previously completed by a full time Deputy Probation Officer. This type of work is labor intensive, but does not require a peace officer’s attention. Although there is an added cost for this service, it allows the department to utilize the Deputy Probation Officer to address more pressing needs that affect community safety.
Additionally, Probation intends to provide a new service from SCRAM, “Ally,” a Domestic Violence Victim Notification Mobile Application, which is integrated with SCRAM’s existing GPS Platform. Ally is a mobile phone app placed on the victim’s phone that triggers a proximity alert if the domestic violence offender wearing a GPS device comes within range of the victim’s phone. Other features include a panic button, a map of the victim’s location, and client and officer information.
ALTERNATIVES
N/A
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
19-1377 #45, 12/17/2019
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Public Safety Realignment (AB 109) (67.5%); Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (25%); Substance Abuse Focus Grant (3%); and General Fund (4.5%). There is no General Fund impact or increase to Net County Cost and amounts are included in the FY 2020-21 Budget and the FY 2021-22 Recommended Budget.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Obtain signature of Chair on two (2) originals of Amendment I to Agreement 4371.
2) Forward one (1) fully executed document to the Probation Department for finalization and distribution to vendor.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Jackie Cook, Administrative Analyst, 530-621-5588