Sheriff-coroner Department County of Orange California Sandra Hutchens Sheriff-coroner Office of Sheriff-coroner June*

The FBA balance has been declining as the expenditures have exceeded revenue since 2009. The problem is enhanced with the diminishing income from interest and OC Bankruptcy repayment. What will happen to the Correctional Programs with the FBA balance becomes zero is unknown. Response: Agrees with finding. A May 16, 2012 report issued by the Orange County Internal Auditor did find that there was a declining Fund Balance Available for the Inmate Welfare Fund. However, since that time the Internal Auditor has released a final follow-up report that shows the Sheriff's Department has successfully implemented all recommendations included in the original report. In particular, the March 27, 2013 follow up report found that steps have been taken to reverse the decline in FBA. The Department has created FBA procedures and policies to more closely govern the administration of such funds. Additionally an increase in jail population and a reduction in salary costs have helped to increase revenue and decrease expenditures.

The Grand Jury found that the current staff of the OCSD Correctional Program Unit is providing numerous programs designed to educate and mentor inmates during incarceration. Response: Agrees with finding. The Orange County Sheriff's Department's currently provides 54 programs for inmates. Many of these programs are designed to educate and rehabilitate inmates during their incarceration. Other programs are more recreational in nature and are designed to meet requirements set out by state law.

The County has no definition for recidivism. Response: Agrees with finding. There is no universal definition of recidivism that is used countywide. Most agencies and departments, however, have their own definition of recidivism that is related closely to that respective agency/department's mission. The Sheriff's Departments definition of recidivism is similar to that of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The Sheriff's Department defines recidivism as an individual incarcerated in any of the five (5) Orange County Jails who is released during a defined time period and subsequently returned to jail during a specific follow up period. In the future OCSD has plans to develop recidivism rates based on one year and three year periods.

Neither the effectiveness of any particular rehabilitation program nor the Correctional Programs Unit as a whole is known. Response: Partially disagrees with finding. While no formal metrics may exist, the quality of OCSD rehabilitation programs are continually monitored and evaluated. Each rehabilitation program is designed to meet the needs of the inmates and the requirements of state statutes. Internally OCSD tracks all in custody program to ensure the classes have merit and value. Metrics to measure the post-release impacts of particular classes needs to be added and is in the process of being developed.

There is very limited classification of inmates regarding issues of age, race, type of crime, etc. as these differences might apply to rehabilitation. Response: Agrees with finding. OCSD Inmate Services focuses on individuals criminogenic needs not on race, type of crime etc. When providing rehabilitation services many individuals require the same types of resources such as substance treatment, housing, employment etc. Race, type of crime, etc. plays little to no bearing when identifying an individual's needs both in custody and post release.

The new programs being considered by OCSD Correctional Programs Unit staff are not accompanied with metrics to measure the effectiveness. Response: Disagrees wholly with the finding. The new rehabilitation programs that are being considered by OCSD will include metrics designed to measure effectiveness.

The "Transitions from Jails to Communities" program was completed at the beginning of 2012. The results have yet to be released and utilized. Response: Disagrees wholly with the finding. The results of the "Transitions from Jails to Communities" program were released in September 2012. The TJC technical assistance report was completed and released in June of 2011.

There is a lack of universal acceptance by the rank and file of the OCSD of the benefit of rehabilitation programs. Response: Agrees with the finding. While it is accurate to say that not all OCSD employees may recognize the benefits of rehabilitation programs, it is important to note that key decision makers (as well as many rank and file) at OCSD do support such programs and know the benefits. The leadership of OCSD will continue to make rehabilitation programs an integral part of the Sheriff's Departments mission.

UCI has professional and academic talent in the area of criminology and social studies which could play a significant role with researching data about the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs. Response: Agrees with the finding. UCI has served as a resource for OCSD in the past and that partnership will continue. OCSD is currently working to develop metrics with UCI for new inmate rehabilitation programs.

OCSD Correctional Programs could benefit by sophisticated statistical analysis from UCI. Response: Agrees with the finding. OCSD is currently working to develop metrics with UCI for inmate rehabilitation programs.

The effectiveness of jail sponsored rehabilitation programs could be financed by closing down dubious programs and re-directing those monies towards research and statistical analysis of the remaining rehabilitation programs. Response: Disagrees wholly with the finding. Each of the rehabilitation programs offered by OCSD are done so in order to meet requirements of our inmate population and standards set by the State. None of the programs offered would be considered dubious. Programs are constantly monitored and evaluated to determine if they meet the current needs of the inmate population. RECOMMENDATIONS