CHilD ABUsE Emergency REsPONsE EffECTivENEss Orange, Santa Ana and Tustin. In addition, the SSA invited police

Recommendations 3

• R1

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  Conduct workshop(s) jointly with law enforcement to enhance the role of each and ways to seek more efficient interaction when working together on child abuse cases.
• R2

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  Review and analyze procedures concerning the transportation of children in social workers personal automobiles in terms of liability and possible alternatives.
• R3

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  Continue analyzing the ERU reporting requirements using social workers from both units to reduce redundancy and increase efficiency. REQUIREMENTS AND INSTRUCTIONS: The California Penal Code Section 933(c) requires any public agency which the Grand Jury has reviewed, and about which it has issued a final report, to comment to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court on the findings and recommendations pertaining to matters under the control of the agency. Such com- ment shall be made no later than 90 days after the Grand Jury publishes its report (filed with the Clerk of the Court); except that in the case of a report containing findings and recommendations pertaining to a department or agency headed by an elected County official (e.g. District Attorney, Sheriff, etc.), such comment shall be made to the Presiding Judge with an information copy sent to the Board of Supervisors. Furthermore, California Penal Code Sections 933.05(a), (b), (c), details, as follows, the manner in which such comment(s) are to be made: (a) As to each grand jury finding, the responding person or entity shall indicate one of the following: (1) The respondent agrees with the finding (2) The respondent disagrees wholly or partially with the finding, in which case the response shall specify the portion of the finding that is disputed and shall include an explanation of the reasons therefore. 46 /2011 CHilD ABUsE EMERGENCY REsPONsE EffECTivENEss (b) As to each grand jury recommendation, the responding person or entity shall report one of the following actions: (1) The recommendation has been implemented, with a summary regarding the implement- ed action. (2) The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future, with a time frame for implementation. (3) The recommendation requires further analysis, with an explanation and the scope and parameters of an analysis or study, and a time frame for the matter to be prepared for dis- cussion by the officer or head of the agency or department being investigated or reviewed, including the governing body of the public agency when applicable. This time frame shall not exceed six months from the date of publication of the grand jury report. (4) The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or is not rea- sonable, with an explanation therefore. If a finding or recommendation of the grand jury addresses budgetary or personnel matters of a county agency or department headed by an elected officer, both the agency or department head and the Board of Supervisors shall respond if requested by the grand jury, but the response of the Board of Supervisors shall address only those budgetary or personnel matters over which it has some decision making authority. The response of the elected agency or department head shall address all aspects of the findings or recommen- dations affecting his or her agency or department. Comments to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court in compliance with the Penal Code Section 933.05 are requested from the: Responding Agency Findings Recommendations Social Services Agency F.1 through F.7 R.1 through R.3 /2011 47 CHilD ABUsE EMERGENCY REsPONsE EffECTivENEss 48 /2011 ORANGE COUNTY sHERiff’s DEPARTMENT iNMATE RE-ENTRY UNiT Orange County Sheriff ’s Department Inmate Re-Entry Unit GRAND JURY /2011 49 ORANGE COUNTY sHERiff’s DEPARTMENT iNMATE RE-ENTRY UNiT 50 /2011 ORANGE COUNTY sHERiff’s DEPARTMENT iNMATE RE-ENTRY UNiT Orange County Sheriff’s Department Inmate Re-Entry Unit SUMMARY The Orange County Re-Entry Partnership (OCREP) founded in December 2005, with the Sheriff’s Department as the lead agency, collaborated with over 40 government agencies, private companies, and non-profit organizations to examine Orange County’s inmate re-entry practices. The partnership was de- veloped to bridge the gap between the release of inmates from incarceration to community-based services. Consequently, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department in 2006 established the Inmate Re-Entry Unit to provide in-custody programs designed to educate and prepare inmates for re-entrance into society. Due to this undertaking, the 2010-2011 Grand Jury elected to study the Inmate Re-entry Unit and its programs. The review found that the pre-release services offered by the Inmate Re-Entry Unit reduced recidivism (re-entry into the jail system) rates in Orange County. A significant component for the prepa- ration of released inmates is the Great Escape Program, which contributes to the formerly incarcerated individuals’ success in staying out of the penal system. Beneficial aspects provided to the community when former inmates do not re-offend were analyzed. The mission of the Inmate Re-Entry Unit is to successfully transition inmates upon release from custody into the community. The re-entry services offer inmates initial assessment and access to the Great Escape Program while incarcerated. In January 2007, the Great Escape Resource Center opened to provide out- reach resources to former inmates. Orange County Sheriff’s Department statistics demonstrate that if an inmate receives rehabilitation programming while in custody and these services are continued immediately upon release, the chance of becoming a productive member of society increases by at least 25%. Breaking the cycle of antisocial be- havior and criminality and thereby reducing the recidivism rate is the ultimate goal of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Re-Entry Unit and their programs. This study revealed the need for greater public awareness as well as an on-going need for funding sources. REASON FOR STUDY During the course of the Grand Jury’s introduction and familiarization with the Orange County cor- rectional programs, one area of concern is recidivism (in this report recidivism refers to a released inmate who re-offends and returns to the jail system within one year or less). In an effort to identify and describe new and/or improved methods for reducing the inmate revolving door phenomena within Orange County jails, the Grand Jury chose to study this topic. Recidivism is not only costly but jeopardizes the safety of Orange County citizens. After reviewing attempts made through many programs within Orange County detention facilities in recent years, one comprehensive recidivism reduction project stood out as being successful – the Inmate Re-Entry Unit. The importance and suc- cess of this Unit’s programs in improving the likelihood released inmates become productive members of society could not be ignored. The cost of housing an inmate (approximately $40,000 plus per year), /2011 51 ORANGE COUNTY sHERiff’s DEPARTMENT iNMATE RE-ENTRY UNiT the safety of the community and the salvaging of broken lives became obvious reasons to encourage and recognize this program. METHODOLOGY The 2010-2011 Grand Jury conducted the inmate re-entry study by examining a program of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department titled “Inmate Services Division Correctional Programs and Inmate Re- Entry Needs Profiles”. This inclusive listing of services describes available classes, programs and facilities. A flow chart from the Inmate Re-Entry Unit was used to understand the process when assessing inmates after incarceration. Meetings were held with the Executive Management of the Inmate Services Division. Interviews were conducted with a Sheriff’s Captain, Lieutenant and Sergeant from the Central Jail Com- plex/Intake and Release Center (IRC). Staff members from the Great Escape Resource Center were in- terviewed. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department Inmate Re-Entry Facts at a Glance publication, an overview of each program and a listing of Inmate Re-Entry Totals for fiscal year 2008/2009 was reviewed. Lastly, 2009/2010 Inmate Re-Entry data was examined. FACTS Fact: Orange County Re-Entry Partnership (OCREP) is intended to improve transition of inmates into the community. Fact: The Orange County Sheriff’s Department has a program for classifying inmates after booking. Fact: Inmates voluntarily attend rehabilitative programs while in custody. Fact: Re-Entry coordinators have a computer-generated assessment form to determine inmates risk to re-offend. Fact: Pre-release planning sessions are to be completed on an individual 30 days prior to the inmate’s release. Fact: The Re-Entry Unit designed the Back-On-Track Employment Program to assist recently released inmates find work. 52 /2011 ORANGE COUNTY sHERiff’s DEPARTMENT iNMATE RE-ENTRY UNiT INTAKE/RELEASE CENTER TO RE-ENTRY/RELEASE FLOW CHART (The following chart was designed by the 2010-2011 Grand Jury to illustrate the process from incarcera- tion to release and employment as described in this report) /2011 53 ORANGE COUNTY sHERiff’s DEPARTMENT iNMATE RE-ENTRY UNiT ANALYSIS The Orange County Re-Entry Partnership (OCREP) was created to serve as a critical link between com- munity resource providers and the formerly incarcerated individuals striving to re-establish healthy, pro- ductive and rewarding lives. The steps required to accomplish this goal for the inmate include initial risk and needs assessments, in-custody classes, pre-release planning sessions, and post-release resource services. OCREP serves as the connecting thread between community resource providers and formerly confined individuals, now referred to as “clients”. A simple word choice such as “client” when referring to a released inmate as opposed to “ex-con, jail bird, etc.”, offers dignity and a sense of hope. This partnership involves agencies which include Probation, Courts, District Attorney, Public Defender, Health Care Agency and private companies. Intake Release Center (IRC) When male or female adults are arrested for criminal violations and booked at the Central Jail Complex, the process of classifying inmates commences with an experienced Deputy Sheriff of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department assigned to assessing incoming inmates. The deputies’ primary assignment is to en- sure the security, protection, and welfare of the individual currently being booked, as well as the inmates incarcerated within the facility, and the jail personnel. The deputies responsible for classifying inmates provide crucial information to the staff regarding the incoming inmate. Jail Classification Officer During the booking process the Deputy Sheriff completes the Initial Screening Classification Assessment document on the inmate to determine classification status. The type of law violation, propensity of the inmate for aggressive and violent behavior, affiliation of gang involvement and criminal history are re- viewed and stored in the Sheriff’s Department data base. Inmates are classified into the following categories: • MINIMUM - indicates a low risk inmate who will be assigned to a dorm unit • MEDIUM - an individual exhibiting abnormal behavior or history of mental illness • MAXIMUM - an inmate that is permitted to co-mingle with others while in a secured environment • PROTECTIVE CUSTODY – segregated from jail population for their own safety • ADMINISTRATIVE CUSTODY – inmates that present a danger to themselves or others and are therefore forbidden from association with other inmates. Following the booking and the initial screening process, the inmate is assigned to a particular housing unit based on their classification and given a bedroll before being moved to their assigned area. Included in the bedroll is a Correctional Programs Inmate Orientation brochure describing available programs for inmate consideration. The same information is also posted throughout the facility. Inmates voluntarily at- tend re-entry programs while in custody to help them stay sober, find jobs and places to live upon release. Inmate Re-Entry Program Life coaches are civilian employees from the Inmate Re-Entry Unit who gather the information collected from the initial booking/classification session and focus on the answers to three questions. These three an- 54 /2011 ORANGE COUNTY sHERiff’s DEPARTMENT iNMATE RE-ENTRY UNiT swers are used collectively by the Inmate Re-Entry Unit on a form titled “PROXY” data. The questions are: • current age (lower age generates higher score) • age at first arrest (lower age generates higher score) • number of prior arrests (greater number equals higher score). The inmate’s answers to these three questions are assigned a numerical value, ranging from 1 to 6. Val- ues from 1 to 4 are the least likely to re-offend and are not given priority. Values of 5 or 6 are considered evidence as to the greatest possibility to re-offend and are assigned high priority for a life coach interview. The resulting scores help the life coaches assess the inmate in determining the best and quickest route to successful re-entry. Important areas of the assessment other than PROXY data are substance abuse history, education level, housing information and employment history. An important tool of assessment used by the life coach is the Wisconsin Risk Needs Assessment. This assessment tool is a 53-item interview-driven analysis. Since its adoption by the National Institute of Corrections (a branch of the Department of Justice) in 1982, the Wisconsin instrument has been widely accepted as a tool for risk prediction or properly classifying offenders and needs assessment. It is currently used by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, the Orange County Probation Department as well as the Inmate Re-Entry Unit. By implementing the same assessment tool, all three agencies maximize resources to better identify the inmate/clients needs. In lieu of spending resources on low-risk offend- ers, the ability to place higher-risk inmates into programs targeted for their needs allows the use of scarce resources to be allocated efficiently. All four Orange County detention facilities, James A. Musick, Theo Lacy, Central Jail Complex (IRC) and Men’s Central Jail offer classes in life skills, educational programs, vocational programs, behavior modification, substance abuse and general services. The educational programs assist inmates in obtain- ing a high school diploma or GED equivalent and language skills. Math and reading classes are offered as well as classes in citizenship, government and other academic programs. There are vocational programs in food preparation, welding, cabinetry, sewing, software applications and general workforce readiness. In- mates dealing with drug and alcohol addiction can access programs to assist in their recovery. All inmates have access to these correctional programs, however, the Great Escape/Re-Entry Planning classes and the OCREP/Re-Entry Partnership programs are only available to inmates who have been assessed and ap- proved by life coaches using the collected scores. All four jail facilities offer this re-entry program. Another program the Inmate Re-Entry Unit is in the process of implementing is an evidence-based in- custody curriculum called, Thinking for a Change. Evidence-based practices utilize research and docu- mented data as a basis for determining the best action to take that will generate positive results. Thinking for a Change focuses on modifying an inmate/clients thinking and behavior. Great Escape Resource Center Thirty days prior to being released, inmates meet with a re-entry coordinator for a one-on-one release planning finalization assessment. This includes encouragement to utilize the services provided by the Great Escape Resource Center. /2011 55