COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

SHERIFF'S OFFICE

DATE:

August 8, 2002

BOARD MEETING DATE:

September 10, 2002

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Don Horsley, Sheriff

SUBJECT:

Agreement with the Service League of San Mateo County to provide Inmate Services.

Recommendation

Adopt a Resolution authorizing the President of the Board to waive the Request for Proposals (RFP) process and to execute an Agreement between the County of San Mateo and the Service League of San Mateo County in the amount of $575,261, funded through the Inmate Welfare Fund, for services to inmates in the County's detention facilities.

Background

In August, 2001, your Board executed an Agreement with the Service League of San Mateo County to provide a continuum of inmate services in an amount not-to-exceed $400,730, funded through the Inmate Welfare Fund Committee. The Service League's ability to provide an optimum level of services to inmates at a reasonable cost is largely due to a dedicated staff, and to the recruitment and utilization of hundreds of volunteers and community professionals. The Service League works in close cooperation with other organizations and agencies in the County to expand the number of resources available to inmates and their families. A significant portion of the cost for providing inmate services is subsidized by public donations and fund-raising carried out by Service League sponsors.

In March 2002, your Board authorized the execution of Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement, which increased the amount not-to-exceed by $10,000 to implement the FATHERS [Fathers As Teachers: Helping Encouraging Reading Supporting Literacy Program. The objectives of the Program are to interrupt the cycles of both incarceration and poor literacy, by making male inmates aware of their responsibility as fathers and as father figures to break both cycles.

In May, 2002, the Service League additionally assumed the responsibilities of providing mandated inmate library services and related library materials to inmates in Maguire Correctional Facility, Men's Honor Camp, Women Correctional Facility, and Women's Honor Camp. The Service League took the place of a previous contractor (Peninsula Library Services) who was unable to fulfill the terms of the contract.

Discussion

In Fiscal 2001-02, the Inmate Welfare Fund Committee contracted with the Service League of San Mateo County for a total of $437,515 in inmate services. The new proposed Agreement period is July 1, 2002, through June 30, 2003 for an amount not to exceed $575,261. This amount is an increase of $137,746, or 31.5% from last years contract. The increase is primarily because of the additional level of services now provided by the Service League, which were formerly provided by Peninsula Library Services.

The Services League provides services to inmates such as jail orientation, counseling, referrals, jury clothing, childcare, travel fare for released inmates, Spanish language services, various denominational chaplaincy services, etc. The Services League also provides indirect services. Those services consists of training and guidance for volunteers who interact with inmates and handle their requests as well as build supportive networks with departments, agencies, and substance abuse treatment programs.

County Counsel has reviewed and approved this Resolution and Agreement as to form.

Vision Alignment

Support for this Agreement aligns with Goal Number 4, "Residents have many educational and training opportunities beyond high school" of the Shared Vision Commitment to "Provide equal access to educational opportunity;" and Goal Number 19 "The skill level of new workers rises with improved K-12 education and training options." of the Shared Vision Commitment to "Sow the seeds of our future prosperity." This Amendment contributes to these commitments by providing powerful tools to help both inmates and their children learn about books and develop a love of reading which is the foundation for succeeding in school and in the workplace.

Fiscal Impact

The proposed Agreement for an amount not-to-exceed $575,261 will be funded through the Inmate Welfare Fund for the 2002-03 Fiscal Year. There is a net (savings or revenue) of $1,832 over the previous costs under the Service League and Peninsula Library Services contracts. Therefore, there is no impact upon the County's General Fund.