Marin County Grand Jury
• 2025-2026
Uncuffed and Unemployed: There is Work to be Done
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 5 findings
F1
The lack of coordination and limited communication within and among Marin County resources and departments (Marin County Health and Human Services, Marin County Probation, Marin County Sheriff’s Office, and nonprofits, including both those contracted with the County of Marin and independent agencies) hinders successful reentry employment.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
By December 31, 2026, the Marin County Board of Supervisors should direct the office of the County Executive to create a formal coordination plan between the Jail Reentry Team, Marin County Probation Department, Marin County Department of Health and Human Services, and community resources that offer post-incarceration employment assistance.
F2
A lack of engagement between the County of Marin and local employers on the benefits of hiring the previously incarcerated results in fewer job prospects.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
By December 31, 2026, the Marin County Board of Supervisors should allocate to a specific County agency or department the responsibility to oversee a centralized clearinghouse for post-incarceration employment services.
F3
Failure to track post-incarceration employment and its relationship to recidivism in Marin County has limited the ability for County agencies and/or departments to assess the effectiveness of their initiatives and spending, and impedes efforts to determine whether job support efforts are successful.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
By December 31, 2026, the Marin County Board of Supervisors should ensure that a mechanism exists by which data is collected, tracked, and analyzed to be used to evaluate the efficacy of post-incarceration employment services.
F4
When Marin County and non-profit employment counselors do not connect with the incarcerated before they are released, there are lost opportunities to provide job counseling that could reduce the chance of returning to jail.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
By December 31, 2026, the Marin County Sheriff should implement a formal system by which incarcerated persons can meet with an Employment Development Coordinator prior to release.
F5
The Marin County Sheriff’s Office Custody Manual (Policy 1005) section on Education, Vocation, and Rehabilitation is outdated and, as a result, gives a false impression that training can be made available that does not exist in the Marin County Jail.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
By January 1, 2026, the Marin County Sheriff’s Custody Manual should be updated to reflect current educational and vocational training that could be made available to the incarcerated.
Conclusions 1
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CL1After considering the evidence provided by numerous independently sourced documents and interviewees, the Grand Jury concluded that a unified effort would dramatically streamline deployment of existing resources and improve effectiveness. Results of the Grand Jury investigation indicate that a focus on coordination and maximization of currently available 36 California Workforce Development Board, “Prison to Employment Initiative, Interim Report for Evaluation of Workforce Development Programs, submitted pursuant to Supplemental Report of the 2018-19 Budget Act, Item 7120-101-0001,” Prison to Employment, https://cwdb.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/43/2021/10/P2E-Interim- Report_ACCESSIBLE.pdf, (accessed 3/25/25). 37 https://www.bscc.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Marin-County-FY-23-24-CCP-Survey-Part-A-Part-B.pdf Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 11 of 14 Uncuffed and Unemployed: There is Work to be Done resources targeted at improving job readiness and boosting opportunities for formerly incarcerated persons may reduce recidivism and incarceration costs. Rebuilding self-confidence and having a positive outlook go a long way toward successful reentry. How the County responds can be the source of stability and encouragement that is so crucial to those who find themselves in this challenging situation. Marin County Civil Grand Jury Page 12 of 14 Uncuffed and Unemployed: There is Work to be Done
Agency Responses 1
Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.