Activism
LAO Asks Legislature to Establish New Formula for Funding County-Level Corrections Program
To make sure the program is effective and sustainable, the formula the LAO is advising the state to create would base the monies counties receive on state savings and established metrics used to assess the performance of local programs. It would also target funds to specific practices whose success is “evidence-based.”
By Tanu Henry, Antonio Ray Harvey and Joe W. Bowers Jr., California Black Media
The Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) released a report on Oct. 10 recommending that the State Legislature establish a new formula to provide funds to counties through the County Probation Grant Program.
The program was designed to help keep people convicted of felonies out of prison and reduce incarceration costs by supporting county-level community corrections programs.
The program was established by Senate Bill (SB) 678, introduced by former Sen. Mark Leno, who represented San Francisco. It became state law in 2009.
To make sure the program is effective and sustainable, the formula the LAO is advising the state to create would base the monies counties receive on state savings and established metrics used to assess the performance of local programs. It would also target funds to specific practices whose success is “evidence-based.”
