Jail Brake

Supervisors hear facts, not arguments

By Howard Schmidt
June 2023

The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors endured a controversial hearing last December about overcrowding and the quality of inmate care at the Downtown Main Jail and Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center in Elk Grove.

Testimony pitted law enforcement supporters against social justice advocates. Supporters urged financial investment to improve jail conditions. Advocates argued against more money for incarceration.

In the background, warnings from a federal judge about constitutional rights violations at the jails drove concerns about a potential court-ordered mass release of prisoners.

Tensions flared. Supervisor Phil Serna said support for jail enhancements came from “fear mongering.” By a 3-2 vote, the supervisors compromised. They agreed to consider capital improvements and work toward incarceration alternatives.

Tensions flared. Supervisor Phil Serna said support for jail enhancements came from “fear mongering.” By a 3-2 vote, the supervisors compromised. They agreed to consider capital improvements and work toward incarceration alternatives.

A more sedate atmosphere met the board’s most recent jail update. There was little public comment and no inflammatory language or protests. Just the facts.

Eric Jones, deputy county executive for public safety and justice, said efforts are underway to “reduce the jail population over time and give constitutional care to those in custody.” Improvements are “not adding jail beds but giving proper treatment,” he says.

Design work to improve facilities is in early stages. Project estimates could run nearly $500 million, though construction isn’t anticipated until 2025–2026.

Besides physical changes, the goal is to reduce the average daily jail population by 600 inmates. Reductions can be accomplished with reduced bookings, shorter lengths of stay and fewer repeat offenders in custody.

At the end of March, the population averaged 2,788 inmates, down by 431 from the measuring baseline.

Several alternatives are under discussion, such as having law enforcement use the county’s Mental Health Urgent Care Clinic and Mental Health Treatment Center. Both have expanded capacity and operate around the clock.

Despite the upbeat report, Corrine McIntosh Sako chastised the supervisors. She serves on the county Mental Health Board and says it was wrong for supervisors “to support the jail as the county’s largest mental health provider,” rather than invest in community behavioral health services.

GOODBYE, COLUMBUS

No culture war erupted when supervisors designated “Indigenous Peoples’ Day” as the second Monday of October. It’s already a paid holiday for county workers.

Formerly known as Columbus Day, the title has been updated on many government calendars, including state and federal.

PAY RAISE

Supervisors get a 20% pay raise in June. They voted themselves the boost at the recommendation of county staff, based on a compensation survey.

Supervisor Sue Frost expressed mixed feelings. She said the job requires a lot of work but acknowledged “many of my constituents are suffering” with inflation and the cost of living. She alone voted against the raise.

After Frost announced her vote, Serna asked why the proposal was on the board agenda. County Executive Ann Edwards explained staff looks at equity adjustments for all county employees and the board’s compensation hadn’t been reviewed since 1991 (though supervisors have received pay increases in the last 32 years).

With that information, Serna said the pay raise wasn’t requested by any supervisor.

When the raise starts, supervisors will make $173,389 annually.

Howard Schmidt worked on the federal, state and local levels of government, including 16 years for Sacramento County. He can be reached at howardschmidt218@aol.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @insidesacramento.