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tv   [untitled]    December 1, 2011 8:30am-9:00am PST

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hope that many improvements that we make here can also be looked at as pilots for statewide implementation. as the architect, the chief architect of the realignment plan for this year for 2011 with the very important partner agencies, there is clearly a recognition that while it is a great step in the right direction, without a true change is that we are going to continue -- without true changes, we are going to continue in a very inefficient manner. if we divert them through strategies, we can have a better return on our investment with the public, the taxpayer dollars, and the human element. and we can break that cycle of incarceration after spending more than 30 years in the state prison system.
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there are generations of families that end up in the criminal justice system and come out, and unless we stop that, we will not break the cycle. i would also like to speak to the reentry council that i serve as co-tier and the community corrections partnership at the executive committee. there are special duties and powers as enumerated by the san francisco administrative code. the executive community corrections partnership has a specific power as stated and authorized in the state penal code. i appreciate the work that went into the drafting of this ordinance and emphasize the importance of section h. the sentencing commission shall work in collaboration with the reentry council and the community of corrections partnership. these partnerships are key to make sure that each body is
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fulfilling their specific role. and to make sure there is not a redundant effort, i want to ensure that these efforts, while corrugated, should remain very distinct so that to implement and oversee realignment shall not be in conflict with the proposed sentencing commission. as those authorized duties are defined by statute. supervisor kim: i had a question. i support local incarceration and custody, but as we increase the number of folks that need revision through multiple services, would there be a correctional alternative and with the group of current service providers have the resources to take an increase an individual's? >> i think we will see an increase in the number of providers.
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with a realignment, i am already seeing a very significant shortage in transitional emergency housing with outpatient services, but i also know there are a number of providers that build up to capacity needs. that really is going to determine and tell us what is out there. i believe there is a willingness and a strong desire on the non- profit part to be able to provide the capacity that we are looking for. they just need to know what it is. supervisor kim: i know we will have some funding, but will there be additional funding from other sources? will it be enough to cover the increased population? >> what i do know is that adult probation continues to apply for grants. we have been successful because of the city's leadership role
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and so on. because of our evidence-based probation and compliance with 678 and our success, i will receive a grant of $834,000. i am committed that every penny of that will go to services. that is a new, a brand new funding source that we have not had. i have also applied for a second chance grant for $1.4 million. that is for additional substance abuse treatment. i intend, continuing to be very aggressive in my pursuit of those grant type dollars, i have successfully achieved four grants related to gender response of programs and services, family probation services. i believe the resources are out there, but we have to be innovative with to rio approach
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and the models that we approach so that we continued to -- with who we approach and the models that we approach so that we continue to get outside funding. supervisor kim: there is a concern about transitional housing, because nonprofits look for potential group housing. they will live primarily in certain neighborhoods that have a higher density of sro buildings that are currently rent-controlled. there might be some competition. one concern be in competition with low-income residents that will be competing with sro hotel rooms and the concern that there will be density with look of distribution throughout the city for some of the group housing -- alternative sentencing. has there been any thought about that? >> there has, but i have been briefed by eds.
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-- by it. our goal is not to create density of population because i believe we will create a true reentry model. we have to integrate with the general population and i am specifically opposed to bringing numbers down to the traditional sro housing, the tenderloin, like that. i am trying to create capacity in non-traditional areas. that is a priority for me. there are other areas, treasure island, other places already designated for that function. we will continue to approach both, and also the moviehsa -- through the hsa, there is a temporary subsidy grants. we would not specifically dictate where the housing would be at, we would give subsidies
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that would further the spread of the population. supervisor kim: we appreciate that. it is not that we got any, where we don't -- that we don't want any parolees coming into the neighborhood, they will absorb some of the population. but there is concern that they will only come to these three communities. supervisor wiener: thank you, chief. we will now herar formrom mr. adachi. >> i am here to express my support for the sentencing commission. there are three things that i think his commission will be capable of. we will be able to take a big picture view of sentencing. my department handles 25,000 cases a year, and on top of that you have cases handled by the private bar and by retaining counsel.
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we would be able to get a big picture view, for the very first time, of what is happening in a wide variety of cases. secondly, we will be able to look at the consistency or inconsistency of those cases. while sentencing is an individualized past, every cases like a snowflake, every time you have ranges, where certain patterns should exist. we will look it goes to see where the variations are, what the discrepancies are, what the disparities are. we will look at racial disparities, and come, poverty disparities, and see if there is any discernible pattern -- income, poverty disparities, and see if there is any discernible pattern to those. third, because we have limited resources, as the new sherriff
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comes in, we are looking at jail space. if we are looking at jail space that is inefficient, we will look at those categories of crimes that are resulting in incarceration to be able to focus the limited resources we have on those crimes sentences that are deserving of a jail sentence as opposed to those that are not. unfortunately, the review will be limited to how the law and sentences are applied. we will not be able to make substantial changes in those sentences. it takes us to a larger issue of sentencing reform, which is what we need. it is not something effectually hear in the city and county. supervisor wiener: thank you very much. >> thank you.
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supervisor wiener: ok, we will now open it up for public comment. we have cards -- do we have cards? if anyone wants to make public comment and has not filled out -- >> one question, i don't know if it is for lenore or supervisor wiener. it must be someone with sentencing experience? sometimes i find out that what we create specific guidelines, we find ourselves holding the bag. are you confident that we are not getting too narrow here? should we have a broader language? if you are comfortable, i can be. supervisor wiener: i will say that it is a pretty broad category in terms of participating in the sentencing process.
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there are an awful lot of people. >> thank you. yeah, i think we would be able to have quite a few names that will fit into that category. supervisor wiener: any other questions? supervisor mirkarimi: thank you. i have been trying my best to keep abreast of this situation, but i have been busy lately. i am not a member of rules committee. as an outgoing supervisor and as the incoming chair of - -sheriff -- sheriff, i am interested on anything that tackles recidivism. on behalf of myself and members of the d.a.'s office, we started
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the council together. i welcome the next step that focuses on those strategies. when we first looked at the legislation, it dawned on me. it felt that the question that was being prompted was that, in lieu of custody budget, budget that is under the custody that is under the realm of the share eriff, would that be potentially shifting away from the department of the sheriff? as it relates to the funding of rehabilitative and service type programs. as someone who is running the department, it is a chorus of concern for me that it not be the singular -- a cause of concern for me that it not be the singular reason. i am left as the section as a
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result of money being shifted for other departments of that reentry is being redistributed in capacity. what occurred to me is that in this idea, the sentencing commission makes complete sense. in terms of the money pie, as the money is distributed, quite frankly, i don't know if there is full recognition of what the sheriff's department does as was mentioned in this piece of legislation. for 30 years, the department has been conducting electronic monitoring. and has been conducting alternative sentencing programs. in the draft that i saw, it essentially generalized that this was new to the city and county of san francisco. it is not new and has been happening for quite some time.
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because of realignment, it has enhanced our discretion authority for using alternative sentencing in a way that did not exist before. that, i think, is important to note. second, the police department, i don't see anywhere in the discussion here in regard to -- we put $480 million into the police department with the current budget. for every four people that they are rest -- arrest, and that the district attorney prosecutes, three are repeat offenders. are we looking at ways to how effectively distribute money? the police department's budget should be in consideration in this equation right now, too. i don't think this is entirely well thought through if it is strictly from a district attorney's office to the sheriff's department unless we
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are looking at all members of the criminal justice system as how we might be able to reallocate dollars in a more effective way. i don't know if anybody from the depar if there was some communication by the sheriff's department to the architects of this legislation and concerns, i would love to see if any of those have been vetted and processed. i think that that is important because they are a center point of this legislation that has the potential impact on the budget. it would be good to know if that discussion is taking place. >> thank you, supervisor.
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during the last several months in the introduction of this legislation, i have not received any concerns except for one from the criminal defense bar on how this should be included. one of the amendments will be to include this because that is a critical part. >> a couple of quick answers to your question. first, and wheat recognize the depth and scope of the department and this is probably one of the most advanced departments in the country.
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we have the opportunity to assess how we are using alternative sentences putting forward. with the expansion of electronic monitoring and supervision, this would be in support of expanding the resources that go through the sheriff's department. with regard to the sheriff's department, they have been apprised of this legislation since the initial drafting and have certainly been aware of the conversation we have been having. i would not want to speak on behalf of the sheriff's
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department. they have been apprised of it and they're welcome to come here today. courts has anyone expressed or e-mail or laid concerns to you or have a dialogue about this? >> there are certain aspects about this. i don't want to speak on behalf of the sheriff's department, i would love to have the opportunity to speak to that. >> is your any further commentary? i have three public comment cards. if anyone else would like to speak, please step forward.
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>> in looking at the members of the realignment committee, i guess the sentencing commission, there is no representative there for the private criminal defense bar and that is a critical lack in the commission. i think that this has a unique perspective based on our clientele and experience that will add the mix of trying to put together reasonable sentencing.
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this is the only organization that is representative of the criminal defense bar in at the city. >> i wanted to come here today and offer the organization and personal support for this legislation. based on the language of this legislation and the membership
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that has been proposed, we believe this is a real opportunity for san francisco to grow. hopefully this will continue well into the future. thank you. >> thank you very much. >> or is this it can of this past force?
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we will refer you. >> good afternoon, i am the criminal justice associate but the american civil liberties union. i'm here to submit a letter to some -- expressed our wholehearted support. they are represented by over 55,000 members. the move fairly and with accountability. this will equip the city and county with the data and resources to implement and monitor proven incarceration, improved his sentencing and
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impact the way the jurisdictions across the state prosecute and punish criminal offenders. as the courts cope with the procedural implications, the committee can form in the stand is to prepare san francisco county for addressing the needs and the risks of new population of offenders. the commission can improve costs and identify the factors that lead individuals and help the county to preserve the space for those who truly pose a risk.
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thank you. >> good afternoon, supervisors. i am in favor of this ordinance and i would like to have my public comments and different area at assuming that it passes. treasure island is used for the main site of the prisoners just released. it is hard to commit crimes when they're so much land out there. i would like to suggest that a different area of treasure island will be used for the homeless vets. i have been looking for that.
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i have found that there is much information. that is some of the space on treasure island. thirdly, since the 49 years seem to be moving, of the bike is just that maybe the prisoners should be housed at candlestick park. i know it is an original idea but these are used for exercises and maybe some of the seats can be sectioned off. they need an opinion as to whether these ideas are relevant and we suggest contacting arizona, sheriff. he has plenty of experience dealing with camps and use of prisoners. we will not use his idea of pink
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underwear. >> public comment is closed. first of all, i want to thank everyone who came out today, especially the departments and have worked on this. i think it is terrific to see this level of cooperation. i know that there are some concerns from the sheriff's department so what i would like to do is to move forward this legislation to the full board with recommendation. supervisor mirkarimi and i in the interim, we have several weeks until this will be heard.
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supervisor mirkarimi and i will confer with the sheriff's department and others as appropriate to try to address some of the concerns that the sheriff's department has to see if there is common ground. >> i moved to adopt the amendments. >> we can do that without opposition. can you please call item number 80. court hearing to consider appointing six members, terms and in december 31st, 2012. there are six seats and 8
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applicants. course we did hear this two weeks ago. four of the applicants had spoken at that meeting. if you can spend a few minutes on discussing the background and your experience in relation to the medical cannabis the task force and your interest. >> thank you for this opportunity. i'm applying for the vacancy on the task force. according to the requirements, the rep must be a local patient
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and an advocacy with a local background and working detect the interests of medical cannabis patients. i have been a medical cannabis patient in california. i have been immersed in the medical cannabis community in the bay area and i am familiar with the legal, public health issues. for the past two years, i was working with an ngo that focused on drug policy reform. i also received my master's degree in human rights and took over many at this see initiatives -- at the seat initiatives --