To: Board of Supervisors
From: Esa Ehmen-Krause, County Probation Officer
Report Title: Gift Cards to support Post-Release Community Supervision clients
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Purchasing Agent, or designee, to execute a purchase order with The Save Mart Companies, on behalf of the Probation Department for 48 Save Mart gift cards in the amount of $25 each, for a grand total of $1,200, to provide support for Post-Release Community Supervision clients.
FISCAL IMPACT:
These gift cards will be 100% funded by State AB 109 Public Safety Realignment funds.
BACKGROUND:
In 2011, the California Legislature passed public safety legislation (Assembly Bill 109) that shifted responsibility of certain populations of offenders from the State to the County.
Assembly Bill 109 (AB 109) established the California Public Safety Realignment Act of 2011 which allows for non-violent, non-serious, non-sex offenders to be supervised at the local county level opposed to state parole offices. Those sentenced to local commitments for that would have previously resulted in prison sentences are released from jail and placed on Mandatory Supervision, supervised by the Probation Department. The goal is to ensure Post-Release Community Supervision (PRCS) clients have the best possible chance to avoid further negative contact with the justice system.
The gift cards purchased with these funds will help provide support to PRCS clients and their families while working towards gainful employment or while participating in rehabilitative services with the Probation Department. Resources such as incentives and stabilization support are essential to removing barriers for the clients, their children and immediate family members as they engage with Probation.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If unapproved, the Probation Department will not be able to provide incentives and stabilization support to Post-Release Community Supervision clients.