COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

SHERIFF’S OFFICE

 

DATE:

July 29, 2004

   

BOARD MEETING DATE:

August 31, 2004

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

   

FROM:

Sheriff Don Horsley

   

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:

1)

Waive the Request for Proposals (RFP) process; and

2)

Execute an Agreement with the Service League of San Mateo County for provision of inmate services in the County’s detention facilities, in the amount not-to-exceed $471,067, funded through the Inmate Welfare Fund.

 

Background

The County has contracted with the Service League to provide a continuum of services to inmates of county correctional facilities since 1989. The Service League provides services to inmates such as education, jail orientation, counseling, referrals, jury clothing, childcare, travel fare for released inmates, Spanish language services, various denominational chaplaincy services, etc. The Service 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.

Most recently, in July 2003, 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 $509,261, funded through the Inmate Welfare Fund. 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.

Another essential service provided by the Service League is mandated inmate library services and related library materials in the Maguire Correctional Facility [MCF] and the Women Correctional Facility [WCC]. In 2001, the Service League took the place of a previous contractor (Peninsula Library Services) who was unable to fulfill the terms of their contract.

 

Discussion

The proposed Agreement period is July 1, 2004, through June 30, 2005 for an amount not-to-exceed $471,067. This amount reflects a 7.5% reduction in Inmate Welfare Fund expenditures. The decrease is primarily due to diminishing financial resources of the Inmate Welfare Fund, and the elimination of services that had been provided at the Men’s Honor Camp in La Honda. As well, conflict management classes and the Fathers & Families Literacy Program will continue at MCF and WCC with funding secured from other resources.

The Service League has a unique ability to provide services to inmates by utilizing volunteers and community professionals at a reasonable cost. Therefore, it is in the best interest of the County to waive the Request for Proposals process and to continue contracting with the Service League on the basis of being a sole source provider in the County of San Mateo.

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 one-year Agreement for an amount not-to-exceed $471,067 will be funded through the Inmate Welfare Fund for the 2004-05 Fiscal Year. Therefore, there is no impact upon the County’s General Fund.