Minutes 02-09-2021 Virtual Work Session

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