"The state system has become the dirty washbasin
for every unmanageable kid in California, and by nearly every measure it's a
failure," said David Steinhart, a
veteran juvenile justice consultant. "It's hard to see how pushing kids back to the counties can be any
worse." State Sen. Gloria Romero (D-Los Angeles), who in the past
has called for the outright closure of the state's juvenile prisons, also
endorsed the plan: "This
is an excellent start, and I hope the counties will embrace it…. Most of the
youths who wind up in state care would be better served in a less-violent
setting in their own communities." The big question is will local
governments have enough beds or suitable facilities for the extra offenders.
"One of my concerns is
that you've got 58 counties and you'll get 58 different levels of services, and
they may not meet the standards we want," said state Sen. Mike
Machado (D-Linden), a critic of youth corrections.
As laid out in the
governor's budget summary, the state would pay for the population shift with
block grants, beginning with $53 million next fiscal year. That would give
counties about $94,000 to spend on each offender per year, officials said. For
the state, however, the shift would mean certain savings. The per-offender cost has
risen steadily in recent years because of changes compelled by the courts:
improvements in medical care, therapy, sex offender treatment, violence
reduction and other areas. It now stands at $145,000 per inmate
annually. Experts such as Steinhart suggest that the rising cost of managing
juvenile lawbreakers may be the driving force behind the governor's plan.
Bernard Warner, the man who runs the state's youth prison system, acknowledged
that saving money is a factor. But he said officials had long been mulling a
shift of nonviolent offenders to the local level. Amador County Officials are
now commenting on the Governors budget proposal including Sheriff Martin Ryan
and Amador County Chief Probation Officer Mark Giannini. “…The proposal to relocate those 1,340 youths would start July 1, 2007
and be completed by June 30, 2008. Those youths would be returned to their home
County …they'd be handled however that County sees fit,” said Giannini.
He continued, “Amador County doesn't have a juvenile hall. Right now we contract with El Dorado, Nevada
and Yolo Counties for space available beds.”
The County was previously guaranteed beds with San Joaquin County,
however Giannini said Amador County ended that relationship almost 18 months
ago.
Amador County Sheriff Martin Ryan
points out that building a juvenile facility if required, within Amador County
would be a costly option. “…The
cost associated with constructing a juvenile facility, staffing it
appropriately with enough correctional staff, and the cost for medical (care)
is extremely high.” Giannini points out, “One question would be, of those 1,340 youths how many
are being returned to the counties (from which Amador Co. contracts for bed
space)?” He goes on to say that, “An option for Amador County could be
having guaranteed bed space with one of those Counties.” Giannini explained the hypothetical situation. Amador
County (could) pay for say 2 beds whether we use them or not. Then when we have to detain someone we'd have
a bed(s).” While that is a
potential option, Ryan and Giannini acknowledge that the overcrowding concern
stands statewide, with most California County facilities operating at maximum
capacity. Sheriff Ryan States, “I
will be working with the California State Sheriffs Association...(which) is
comprised of the 58 California Sheriffs…to discuss our issues and concerns with
the Governors Office,” said Ryan.
While the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, as
well as their Division of Juvenile Justice continue to languish, Giannini does
point out one impressive statistic for Amador County. “Amador County hasn’t committed a juvenile to the
California Dept of Corrections and Rehabilitation-Division of Juvenile Justice
(formerly the California Youth Authority) in probably 4 or 5 years. And we
obviously hope that continues,” said Giannini.