Title
Authorize and direct the Auditor-Controller to amend the Sheriff’s Office FY 2021-22 Adopted Budget to increase appropriations and estimated revenues by $90,000 in 001-SHE003-2300-8238 financed by an increase in revenues from the Department of State Hospital for inmate reevaluations. (4/5ths vote required)
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt a resolution to:
Authorize and direct the Auditor-Controller to amend the Sheriff’s Office FY 2021-22 Adopted Budget to increase appropriations and estimated revenues by $90,000 in 001-SHE003-2300-8238 financed by an increase in revenues from the Department of State Hospital for inmate reevaluations. (4/5ths vote required)
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Welfare and Institutions Code 4335.2 allows the Department of State Hospitals to establish a program to perform re-evaluations for felony incompetent to stand trial (IST) individuals in jail who have been waiting for admission to the department 60 days or more from the date of commitment.
The Department of State Hospitals performs re-evaluations via telehealth at the county jails and makes written reports to the courts assessing their competency status and determining if the individual has restored to competency while in jail or is unlikely to restore. These evaluations identify individuals who may need a referral for psychotic medications, a psychopharmacology consultation, or an involuntary medication order. These evaluations determine whether the IST defendant should be referred to the county for further assessment for participation in county diversion program or other outpatient treatment programs. Essentially these evaluations are done during the period the defendant is waiting in the jails for placement, and from our experience, more than 25% of defendants have been identified to be competent and can proceed with their court proceeding without being admitted to a state hospital or JBCT program.
The number of inmates in the Monterey County Jail, with mental health issues, continues to grow. Due to the continued overwhelming need for beds and program space for inmates found by local Superior Courts to be incompetent to stand trial and in accordance with W&IC 4335.2, DSH is contracting with the MCSO to re-evaluate defendants who are pending admission to a State Hospital or JBCT program to identify defendants that may have been restored to competency while waiting placement in county jails. The ability to re-evaluate defendants filters out defendants that are not appropriate for admission and identify defendants most appropriate for competency treatment. This re-evaluation program assists in addressing the issue of limited bed capacity at the State Hospitals and JBCT Programs.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Budget Committee unanimously supported the action on February 23, 2022. The Sheriff’s Office has consulted with the County Counsel’s Office and the County Administrative Office has reviewed this report and this request. Susan Chapman of the Public Defender’s Office and Kathryn Eckert Bureau Chief of Behavior Health support this agreement.
FINANCING:
The Sheriff’s Office is requesting an increase in appropriations for FY 2021-22 totaling $90,000 that will be financed by the increased revenues from DSH. There will be no impact to the General Fund Contribution.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
__Economic Development
__Administration
__Health & Human Services
__Infrastructure
√_Public Safety
Prepared by: Arthur Curtright, Management Analyst II, Ext #3708
Approved by: Steve Bernal, Sheriff/Coroner, Ext #3750
Attachments:
Board Report
Board Resolution