What is AB 109, and Why Should I Care?

In order to address persistent crowding in the Jail, the Sheriff’s Office has begun to develop and implement an array of alternatives to incarceration programs and case processing procedures which will allow the jail system to function with the limits of available custody beds. These alternatives include, but are not limited to: • Cite and Release policies: Once a misdemeanant offender is cited for their crime they are released. • Sheriff’s Alternative Work Program: which functions as Lake County’s primary incarceration alternative program in lieu of jail confinement. The goal of the program is to help relieve crowding in the Jail facility while providing an alternative service to the community. The program has been significantly expanded since AB109 was enacted. The program currently has an average daily participant population ranging from 14 – 17 offenders per month. • Sheriff’s Home Detention Electronic Monitoring Program (EM): The Program allows selected AB109 offenders and other local incarcerated offenders to participate in the alternative to incarceration program that is administered by the Sheriff’s staff utilizing electronic monitoring equipment (ankle bracelets).

The Sheriff’s Office has applied for grant monies under State Bill 1022 (SB1022) for Phase 2 Jail Construction Grant Funds. Phase 1 will include adding 39 new Special Use Beds to help improve medical and mental health services to inmates and a new female dormitory that will have 40 new beds (which will allow the male dormitory capacity to expand). The results of the application was publically announced on January 16, 2014. Lake County was approved for funds under SB1022 for expansion of the Jail. 2013-2014 Lake County Civil Grand Jury Final Report 32 This page intentionally left blank. 2013-2014 Lake County Civil Grand Jury Final Report 33 Planning and Public Works Committee 2013-2014 Lake County Civil Grand Jury Final Report 34 This page left intentionally blank