Prison realignment went into effect a year ago and Shasta County is still trying to determine how to deal with the influx of inmate and releases. The jail has re-opened its second level and long term inmates have been shipped off to other counties, increasing capacity.
But who is keeping a close eye those extra probationers?
Since AB 109 was implemented there have been plans for a center where probationers check in daily, with a vote Tuesday, its one step closer to reality.
In the last 14 months, Shasta County has been inundated with extra probationers because of the states realignment plan.
“Well, we are currently supervising about 320 individuals through the realignment population,” said Chief Probation Officer Wes Forman.
Prison releasees periodically check in with the probation department. But a new day reporting center is planned for at risk offenders.
“This will be for the top 100 individuals that need, the are very need in terms of their criminigenic needs and need initially, an intense level of supervision,” said Forman.
Certain AB 109-ers would have to report to a Community Corrections Center seven days a week.
On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors voted on who would operate that center.
Ultimately, Supervisors choose to sign a $554,000, 6-month contract with a Boulder, Colorado based company called Behavioral Interventions.
“We want them to come daily to the day report center, they will be managed case managed by the BI staff and go through daily rigorous programs,” said Forman.
The company will try to reduce recidivism by teaching a wide range of life skills. But that's not until the community corrections center is opened. Currently, the county has not even signed a lease on the Court Street building they plan to use.
“My hope is that we are able to bring the lease agreement to the board by the first hearing in January,” said Forman.
This center will only have a direct impact on AB 109ers but organizers say it is the first step in fixing some of the problems caused by prison realignment.
