San Francisco Sheriff approves $18M contract for pretrial services through 2024
June 03, 2021 | San Francisco County, California
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In a recent San Francisco County government meeting, the Board of Supervisors discussed a significant resolution to authorize a contract between the Sheriff's Office and the San Francisco Pretrial Diversion Project for pretrial services. This contract, valued at approximately $18.76 million, is set for a three-year period from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2024, with options for two additional one-year extensions.
The meeting highlighted the importance of the Pretrial Diversion Project, a nonprofit organization that has been providing pretrial services since 1976. Crispin Hollings, the Chief Financial Officer for the Sheriff's Office, presented the contract details, emphasizing the project's role in the criminal justice system. The pretrial services include risk assessments that help courts determine whether individuals should remain in custody or be released while awaiting trial.
A key focus of the discussion was the Public Safety Assessment (PSA), a tool developed to evaluate the risk of reoffending and failure to appear in court. The PSA uses various factors, such as prior convictions and age, to generate a risk score that informs court decisions. Hollings noted that the evaluation of the PSA is ongoing, with a report from the California Policy Lab expected soon, which aims to validate the tool's effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.
Concerns were raised by several supervisors regarding the timing of the PSA validation study, which is due for release shortly after the Board's vote on the contract. Supervisor Stephanie expressed apprehension about proceeding with the contract without having access to the study's findings, emphasizing the need for comprehensive data to ensure public safety and accountability.
Public comments during the meeting reflected a mix of support and opposition. Some community members advocated for the continuation of pretrial services, citing their positive impact on reducing incarceration rates and improving community safety. Others, including representatives from the Deputy Probation Officers Association, urged the Board to delay the contract approval until the validation study is completed, arguing that existing city employees could fulfill the contract's requirements.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to ongoing discussions about the pretrial services and the importance of data-driven decision-making in the criminal justice system. The Board of Supervisors is expected to revisit the contract approval in light of the forthcoming PSA validation study, which could significantly influence future pretrial policies and practices in San Francisco.
The meeting highlighted the importance of the Pretrial Diversion Project, a nonprofit organization that has been providing pretrial services since 1976. Crispin Hollings, the Chief Financial Officer for the Sheriff's Office, presented the contract details, emphasizing the project's role in the criminal justice system. The pretrial services include risk assessments that help courts determine whether individuals should remain in custody or be released while awaiting trial.
A key focus of the discussion was the Public Safety Assessment (PSA), a tool developed to evaluate the risk of reoffending and failure to appear in court. The PSA uses various factors, such as prior convictions and age, to generate a risk score that informs court decisions. Hollings noted that the evaluation of the PSA is ongoing, with a report from the California Policy Lab expected soon, which aims to validate the tool's effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.
Concerns were raised by several supervisors regarding the timing of the PSA validation study, which is due for release shortly after the Board's vote on the contract. Supervisor Stephanie expressed apprehension about proceeding with the contract without having access to the study's findings, emphasizing the need for comprehensive data to ensure public safety and accountability.
Public comments during the meeting reflected a mix of support and opposition. Some community members advocated for the continuation of pretrial services, citing their positive impact on reducing incarceration rates and improving community safety. Others, including representatives from the Deputy Probation Officers Association, urged the Board to delay the contract approval until the validation study is completed, arguing that existing city employees could fulfill the contract's requirements.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to ongoing discussions about the pretrial services and the importance of data-driven decision-making in the criminal justice system. The Board of Supervisors is expected to revisit the contract approval in light of the forthcoming PSA validation study, which could significantly influence future pretrial policies and practices in San Francisco.
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