Tackling Recidivism by Preparing for Reentry

By Ross Mirkarimi

Recidivism on a larger scale can no longer be treated as an afterthought, especially given the economic implications it has on our state budget. We're simply throwing away taxpayer dollars and front-loading police budgets by re-arresting the same offenders nearly 3 out of 4 times. This is not efficient or effective public safety.

There are a wide variety of Reentry programs designed to provide: education, job training, substance abuse counseling, case management, mental health care and anger management all with the goal of helping soon-to-be ex-offenders acquire the skills to reclaim or find a productive place in their communities. The capacity of these programs is directly connected to the availability of funds and resources.

As Supervisor, I successfully secured a $1 million grant from the State Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to help us create the Sheriff's NoVA Program -- a landmark program for violent felons. I also authored the creation of San Francisco's first Reentry Council - obligating all local government and nonprofit stakeholders to collectively address the challenges of reentry.

As Sheriff, I will strengthen Reentry services. There are renowned programs like the Women's Reentry Center; Cover Program, RSVP (violent/nonviolent felons); Five Keys Charter School; NoVA; Garden Project, and more that deserve a stable future. I will institute a thorough audit system for programs so we learn more than just success/failure rates of offenders who repeat.

There is a strong need to strengthen and develop programs related to the following populations:

1) Building on the One Family program model - domestic re-integration for multiple family members who are incarcerated at the same time (example: father and son), working with children whose parent(s) are incarcerated, as well as post release community re-integration training to assist with reuniting families;

2) Transgender and LGBT populations are in serious need of specialized programming and improved support while incarcerated;

3) Project Breakthrough for young adults needs more robust workforce placement and training system for post release preparation - the one current staffer is insufficient.

Reentry services are key to reducing recidivism. Recidivism is the revolving door of repeat offenders moving through our criminal justice system. Throughout the city, our neighborhood safety is inextricably entwined to the repeat offender rate--which is about 64 percent from the county jails and 77 percent for inmates from the state penal system. This dysfunctional merry-go-round must be stopped. In order to effectively target reentry programs, we must look at who enters the system and who keeps coming back. Unfortunately, most reentry programs in San Francisco exist on grant funding. This provides a stark reminder that we must make a more enthusiastic commitment to their sustainability.

As Sheriff, I will work to synchronize service delivery with City criminal justice partners by:

1) Spreading out custody programs throughout the City in the neighborhoods where our clients live;

2) Providing child care to both male and female offenders so they can work on their recovery without worrying about their children;

3) Making sure programs are both culturally relevant and gender responsive;

4) Providing a safe environment with empathetic case managers to assure successful reentry as well as increase the likelihood of long term sobriety;

5) Increasing best practice trainings for both sworn and civilian staff;

6) Increasing the presence of 12 Step groups in the jails and provide meeting space to like-minded groups in the community to assure that our clients have as much access to self-help recovery;

7) Building and nurturing inmate centered programs where the inmates are held accountable to themselves and each other for the success of their program and individual recovery;

8) Making the programs more accessible to a larger portion of our population;

9) Increasing volunteer and community involvement in jails.