Stanislaus County Probation Department*

Finding: The probation department as well as the sheriff's jail staff is coping with the ramifications of AB 109 that required the county jails to accept prisoners transferred from state prisons. There is an additional burden because some new prisoners that would have been sentenced to state prison are now sentenced to serve their time in county jails. The county received SB 678 realignment funds from the state that is shared by the sheriff and probation departments. The status of these funds on a continuing basis however, is in question because of state budget constraints. There is a concern that prisoners that would normally be incarcerated would have to be released due to lack of funding to staff jail facilities.

The SCCGJ found that the Juvenile Hall is clean, well maintained, and staffed with personnel that are highly motivated to help youthful prisoners. Response: The department agrees with this finding. RESPONSE TO RECOMMENDATIONS The following is the Probation Department's response to the recommendations to the Juvenile Detention Facility. The SCCGJ recommends the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors and the Chief Probation Officer proactively work with professional organizations (including the California State Association of Counties and Chief Probation Officers of California) to lobby the governor and legislators representing Stanislaus County for adequate and reliable multi-year funding for the county probation department. Response: The department agrees with this recommendation. The Chief Probation Officer is committed to working with county leaders and professional organizations to ensure sufficient and sustainable funding for criminal justice needs.