BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 1445
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Date of Hearing: March 6, 2012
Chief Counsel: Gregory Pagan
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY
Tom Ammiano, Chair
AB 1445 (Mitchell) - As Amended: February 28, 2012
SUMMARY : Deletes the January 1, 2013 sunset date on a program
that authorizes the sheriff in specified counties to expend
money from the inmate welfare fund to provide indigent inmates,
after release from county jails or any other adult detention
facilities under the jurisdiction of the sheriff, with
assistance with the re-entry process. Additionally, this bill:
1)Extends from 14 days to 30 days the time in which the sheriff
may provide assistance with the re-entry process after the
inmate's release from the county jail or any other adult
detention facility.
2)Adds the counties of Marin, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura to
the program.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Creates a pilot program in Alameda, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange,
Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Francisco, San Diego, Santa
Barbara, Santa Clara, and Stanislaus Counties that authorizes
sheriffs in those counties to expend money from the inmate
welfare fund to provide indigent inmates, after release from
county jails or any other adult detention facilities under the
jurisdiction of the sheriffs, with assistance with the
re-entry process within 14 days of the inmates' release.
Provides that re-entry assistance may include, but is not
limited to, work placement, counseling, obtaining proper
identification, education and housing. ÝPenal Code Section
4025.5(a).]
2)Provides that the sheriff shall receive all persons committed
to jail by competent authority. The board of supervisors
shall provide the sheriff with necessary food, clothing, and
bedding for prisoners, which shall be of a quality and
quantity at least equal to the minimum standards prescribed by
AB 1445
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the Board of Corrections (BOC) for the feeding, clothing, and
care of prisoners in county and local jails. ÝPenal Code
Section 4015(a).]
3)Authorizes a county sheriff to establish, maintain and operate
a store in connection with the county jail and for this
purchase may purchase confectionary, tobacco and tobacco
users' supplies, postage and writing materials, and toilet
articles and supplies and sell these goods, articles, and
supplies for cash to inmates. ÝPenal Code Section 4025(a).]
4)Provides that the sale prices of the articles offered for sale
at the store shall be fixed by the sheriff. Any profit shall
be deposited in the inmate welfare fund to be kept in the
treasury of the county. ÝPenal Code Section 4025(b).]
5)Provides that money and property deposited in the inmate
welfare fund shall be expended by the sheriff primarily for
the benefit, education, and welfare of the inmates confined
within the county jail. ÝPenal Code Section 4025(e).]
6)Authorizes the sheriff to expend money from the inmate welfare
fund to provide indigent inmates, prior to the release from
the county jail or other adult correctional facility under the
sheriff's jurisdiction, with essential clothing and
transportation expenses. ÝPenal Code Section 4025(i).]
FISCAL EFFECT : None
COMMENTS : According to the author, "AB 1445 will expand a
successful program to aid re-entry of former inmates. Studies
have shown that successful employment after release is one of
the best predictors of effective reintegration of former
offenders. The program authorized by this bill will provide
continuity of critical services such as substance abuse
treatment and counseling. Furthermore, interventions as simple
as help obtaining proper identification improve the chances of
obtaining employment, and thus aid successful re-entry to the
community.
"Successful public safety realignment will require reductions in
recidivism rates that can only be achieved by facilitating
re-entry. The pilot program has successfully reduced recidivism
rates of individuals receiving post-release assistance. The
time frame for assistance should be extended from 14 to 30 days
AB 1445
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after release, and the program made permanent."
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
California State Sheriffs' Association
Sacramento County Sheriff's Department
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
California Peace Officers' Association
California Public Defenders Association
California Alliance of Child and Family Services
Opposition
None
Analysis Prepared by : Gregory Pagan / PUB. S. / (916)
319-3744