FY 2007 Proposed Budget - Arlingtonva
Subject: Community Corrections
FY 2015 Proposed Budget Budget Work Session Follow-up March 24, 2014 The following information is provided in response to a question raised by Ms. Hynes on February 27, 2014, regarding if Community Corrections is a function that is (1) required by law and (2) if the services could be provided by a contractor. 1. The activities of the Community Corrections Unit, probation supervision and the provision of sentencing alternatives for misdemeanor offenders is a function mandated by the Comprehensive Community Corrections Act (CCCA) for LocalResponsible Offenders (Article 9, §9.1-173-§9.1-183) and its subsequent sections, of the Laws of Virginia. Those sections define the establishment, purpose, and responsibilities of local probation services’ agencies, and were created and enacted so that localities could have full, legally enforceable oversight and control of offenders and their supervision as defined by the Criminal Code of Virginia. The state Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) manages the grants that annually support the existence of local pretrial and probation services. 2. Arlington County may enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with a private, non-profit to contract out the supervision services for the Arlington General District Court and the Falls Church District Court. While DCJS does not prefer the use of contractors, the County would still be eligible to qualify for DCJS grants if it decided to contract out these services. DCJS and localities closely collaborate on the services provided and therefore DCJS has an expectation of the level of quality of services provided. DCJS does not encourage the use of contractors as they believe it reduces the local government’s control over the services provided while they (local government) remain responsible for all fiscal and operational activities. In Virginia, a total of two localities contract out some level of pretrial and probation services. In FY 2014, the County will receive $173,328 in grant funds from the Department of Criminal Justice Services, funding over 40 percent of the Community Corrections Units (CCU) budget. In FY 2014 120 offenders are projected to be diverted to the CCU for supervision services. The CCU is able to provide services to these individuals at a very low cost per offender. The current per day cost to house a person in the Arlington County Detention Center is approximately $150. At the end of FY 2013, 169 offenders had been diverted to the CCU for supervision services. If those 169 persons diverted to supervision services were to serve only 45 days of a possible six (6) month sentence, it would have cost the County approximately $1.1 million. In contrast,
L:\DMFBUD\Bud15\Worksessions\Follow up which has gone to the Board\B-3 CMO - Community Corrections.docx
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Subject: Community Corrections
FY 2013 CCU actual net tax support was $239,487 for 169 offenders. In addition, many of these individuals have multiple sentences, or serve more than 45 days. The small staff of the CCU is able to manage the activities of a large number of offenders, some of whom are seriously mentally ill, homeless, and substance abusers, at very little cost.
L:\DMFBUD\Bud15\Worksessions\Follow up which has gone to the Board\B-3 CMO - Community Corrections.docx
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FY 2015 Proposed Budget Budget Work Session Follow-up March 24, 2014 The following information is provided in response to a question raised by Ms. Hynes on February 27, 2014, regarding if Community Corrections is a function that is (1) required by law and (2) if the services could be provided by a contractor. 1. The activities of the Community Corrections Unit, probation supervision and the provision of sentencing alternatives for misdemeanor offenders is a function mandated by the Comprehensive Community Corrections Act (CCCA) for LocalResponsible Offenders (Article 9, §9.1-173-§9.1-183) and its subsequent sections, of the Laws of Virginia. Those sections define the establishment, purpose, and responsibilities of local probation services’ agencies, and were created and enacted so that localities could have full, legally enforceable oversight and control of offenders and their supervision as defined by the Criminal Code of Virginia. The state Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) manages the grants that annually support the existence of local pretrial and probation services. 2. Arlington County may enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with a private, non-profit to contract out the supervision services for the Arlington General District Court and the Falls Church District Court. While DCJS does not prefer the use of contractors, the County would still be eligible to qualify for DCJS grants if it decided to contract out these services. DCJS and localities closely collaborate on the services provided and therefore DCJS has an expectation of the level of quality of services provided. DCJS does not encourage the use of contractors as they believe it reduces the local government’s control over the services provided while they (local government) remain responsible for all fiscal and operational activities. In Virginia, a total of two localities contract out some level of pretrial and probation services. In FY 2014, the County will receive $173,328 in grant funds from the Department of Criminal Justice Services, funding over 40 percent of the Community Corrections Units (CCU) budget. In FY 2014 120 offenders are projected to be diverted to the CCU for supervision services. The CCU is able to provide services to these individuals at a very low cost per offender. The current per day cost to house a person in the Arlington County Detention Center is approximately $150. At the end of FY 2013, 169 offenders had been diverted to the CCU for supervision services. If those 169 persons diverted to supervision services were to serve only 45 days of a possible six (6) month sentence, it would have cost the County approximately $1.1 million. In contrast,
L:\DMFBUD\Bud15\Worksessions\Follow up which has gone to the Board\B-3 CMO - Community Corrections.docx
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Subject: Community Corrections
FY 2013 CCU actual net tax support was $239,487 for 169 offenders. In addition, many of these individuals have multiple sentences, or serve more than 45 days. The small staff of the CCU is able to manage the activities of a large number of offenders, some of whom are seriously mentally ill, homeless, and substance abusers, at very little cost.
L:\DMFBUD\Bud15\Worksessions\Follow up which has gone to the Board\B-3 CMO - Community Corrections.docx
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