COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

SHERIFF’S OFFICE

DATE:

May 12, 2005

BOARD MEETING DATE:

May 24, 2005

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

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 $485,199, funded through the Inmate Welfare Fund (IWF).

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Provide equal access to educational opportunity.

Goal 4: Residents have many educational and training opportunities beyond high school.

The proposed Agreement provides educational programs and services to inmates in order to promote personal growth and development as well as seek worthy goals responsibly.

PERFORMANCE MEASURE(S):

Measure

FY 2004-05
Actual

FY 2005-06
Projected

Number of volunteer hours provided for inmate services

29,500

30,000

Number of Inmate Request Services handled

142,750

143,000

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 consisting 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 August 2004, your Board executed an Agreement with the Service League to provide a continuum of inmate services in an amount not-to-exceed $471,067, funded through IWF. 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 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’s Correctional Facility [WCC]. In 2001, the Service League took the place of a previous contractor who was unable to fulfill the terms of their contract.

DISCUSSION:

The proposed Agreement period is July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006 for an amount not-to-exceed $485,199. This amount reflects a 3% cost of living adjustment (COLA). For the past two years, the Service League’s awarded funding was reduced 15%. Those reductions were primarily due to diminishing financial resources of the Inmate Welfare Fund. Based on the fund’s current status, the IWF Committee was able to provide a 3% COLA which slightly increased the amount awarded to the Service League.

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.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The proposed Agreement for an amount not-to-exceed $485,199 and a one (1) year term commencing July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006 will be funded through the Inmate Welfare Fund for FY 2005-06. Therefore, there is no fiscal impact upon the County’s General Fund.