Community corrections credits Project Bridge successes and warns MRRA is an unfunded county cost

Monica Long, director of Ramsey County Community Corrections, told the budget committee the department served roughly 15,000 adults on probation and about 500 youth on juvenile probation in 2025 while expanding in‑facility programming and community partnerships.

"We are placing 200 youth fewer than we did a decade ago," Long said, citing a drop in out‑of‑home placements since 2015 and pointing to targeted programming, case planning and interagency communities of practice as drivers of that decline.

Long outlined three strategic priorities — justice transformation, racial and health equity, and resident‑centered holistic supports — and cited progress on revocations for felony‑level supervision: "At 29 percent in 2016, by 2025 we have cut that revocation rate ... to 15 percent," she said, attributing improvements to 1‑client/1‑plan case work, incentives, cognitive‑behavioral interventions and caseload adjustments.

The presentation highlighted Project Bridge, launched in April 2025, which provides programming and services to pre‑sentenced residents. A short resident video emphasized practical benefits: one resident said the program "helped me get certificates so I can show the judge that I've been working on myself." Long said participation rates at the Ramsey County Correctional Facility were high and that Project Bridge helped absorb 60 clients the department took on in 2025.

Long also warned of an immediate budget pressure from the MRRA: "As of now, counties will absorb any additional costs for these additional clients," she said, explaining that the county could receive state‑released clients without accompanying housing or transitional funding and that the department will monitor staffing and financial strain and report to the county manager.

Commissioners pressed for disaggregated data and follow‑up from research and evaluation units about crossover youth, revocation drivers and the program's effect on court outcomes; Long agreed to provide additional data and said the county would continue expanding community engagement and cross‑system work.

The presentation contained no formal motions or votes; commissioners and staff flagged MRRA funding and housing capacity as issues for legislative and budget follow‑up.