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13 <br /> 1 Chair Price clarified that federal inmates will be detained somewhere, and taking them in <br /> 2 Orange County allows for a smoother process and higher level of treatment and care. She said <br /> 3 diversion programs will not impact federal inmates' sentences. <br /> 4 Chair Price asked if medical costs are sufficiently covered by the contract. <br /> 5 Jennifer Galassi, Legal Advisor, said inmates dread being transferred to other facilities. <br /> 6 She said federal inmates are treated humanely and with respect by the Orange County <br /> 7 detention officers and receive better quality food. She said the federal contract has a 36-month <br /> 8 waiting period before the reimbursement rate can be renegotiated, but this was last done in <br /> 9 2016, so a renegotiation will be able to occur, if necessary, as soon as the new jail opens, and <br /> 10 costs are better understood. <br /> 11 Commissioner Hamilton asked if the methodology for developing the per diem rate could <br /> 12 be identified. She said she is proud that the County provides respect and humane treatment to <br /> 13 federal inmates, but does not want to lose money doing so. <br /> 14 Commissioner Dorosin said he still does not understand why it costs the same amount, <br /> 15 no matter how many inmates there are. He disagreed with the idea of reducing local <br /> 16 incarcerations, but not advocating the same for federal inmates. He believes that allowing <br /> 17 federal inmates to be housed in Orange County creates an incentive, and is inconsistent with <br /> 18 the County's goal of reducing incarcerations. He said he has no doubt that Orange County <br /> 19 treats inmates better. <br /> 20 Chair Price said housing federal inmates is providing assistance so federal inmates are <br /> 21 not being transported long distances. <br /> 22 Commissioner Dorosin said it is still facilitating continued incarceration. <br /> 23 Chair Price said not accepting them will not get them out of jail. <br /> 24 Commissioner Bedford said she would also like to see the methodology for determining <br /> 25 the cost of housing inmates. She said she admires Commissioner Dorosin's vision, but other <br /> 26 counties will not concur. She said there is a benefit to housing people in Orange County where <br /> 27 they are treated well, versus possibly being housed in a private prison. She agreed with Chair <br /> 28 Price that there is a difference between diversion programs for first time offenders. <br /> 29 Sheriff Blackwood said the local inmate population has not usually been to court, and <br /> 30 are awaiting trial. He said the Federal inmate population is quite different, and most have plead <br /> 31 guilty, been sentenced, or are awaiting further sentencing. He said there has to be some way to <br /> 32 detain people who present a danger to the public. He said some reimbursement is better than <br /> 33 no reimbursement. <br /> 34 Commissioner McKee said he does not share Commissioner Dorosin's vision for <br /> 35 releasing all federal inmates. He said he does support diversion programs for first time <br /> 36 offenders but also supports housing federal inmates, as they will be detained somewhere. <br /> 37 Commissioner Dorosin said de-carcerating federal inmates does not mean letting them <br /> 38 walk out the door. <br /> 39 Chair Price said Travis Myren will bring the per diem formula back to the Board, and <br /> 40 thanked the Sheriff's department for all it has done through the pandemic. <br /> 41 <br /> 42 4. Discussion on Written Consent for Conducting Vehicle Searches <br /> 43 <br /> 44 Jennifer Galassi reviewed the following background information: <br /> 45 <br /> 46 <br />