Programs recommendations

The Programs category includes 27 recommendations. 18 recommendations (67 percent) have been audited and completed, 2 recommendations (7 percent) are covered by consent decrees and monitored by experts under federal court oversight, and 7 recommendations (26 percent) are not covered by consent decrees and are subject to audit by OCLEM. 

	Not covered by Consent Decree/subject to audit by OCLEM.
	Covered by Consent Decree and subject to monitoring by federal court appointed experts.
	Completed, audited, and presented to the Board.

Recommendation	Master List Number	Status
Fund salaries and benefits of peer advocates, mentors, and others who work in the jails who directly support inmates in receiving services.	93
Include an increase in funding for programs and services for inmates with mental health disabilities and developmental disabilities.	94
Peer support services, through an in- reach process, should be offered to offenders in jail with mental illness while incarcerated and upon release to help ensure successful community reentry.	105
Create in reach for all County and Community providers working with mentally ill offenders to assure that when the inmate is discharged, he or she will not end up in the streets. Make it possible for interviews and assessments to take place in the jail in a confidential setting.	106
Continue to set higher standards and effective options for improving the Jail Diversion Program by incorporating innovative programs and “best practices.”	114
Expand government grant funding to enhance workforce development and employment readiness and options for inmates through the re-entry center.	115
New groups and programs need to be developed for the mentally ill. Examples are living with mental illness, coping skills and strategies, family dynamics, exercise groups.	116
Review and revise jail programming policies and practices to ensure intentional planning and development of program opportunities; quality management review of program offerings; and equitable distribution of programming opportunities for inmates across jail facilities, housing units, and classifications.	118
Establish a plan to increase jail program offerings, with an emphasis on increasing opportunities geared toward successful re-entry and behavioral health recovery, and opportunities for inmates with higher level classifications.  In addition, focus on bringing civilian and community-based services into the jail.	119
Perform full scale assessment and plan for of needs of long-term inmates that ensures breadth and infrastructure for services, including programming, medical care, and behavioral health care that is geared toward long term incarceration.	120
Expand and offer evidenced based programming opportunities to all detainees interested in participating, regardless of classification or housing assignment. Program options to consider can include but not be limited to life skills, parenting, meditation, recovery, basic literacy skills, GED, college programs, enrichment opportunities, religious study, job preparation, ESL instruction , AA/NA, mental health and wellness and self improvement.  Detainees housed in areas where group instruction is difficult should be offered options via remote teaching on TV's or tablets. Establish a timeline for implementation.	121
Increase outreach to the community with volunteer opportunities to provide enrichment programs within all areas of the facilities. Provide expansion through existing systems such as the Chaplains office and other community based or advocacy agencies. Streamline the process for vetting, training and providing clearance for volunteers and advocacy groups to offer programs and services.	122
Utilize tablets or other available technology for educational materials for programs, so that all inmates who are eligible and who would like to participate, may participate in these programs.	126
Ensure that inmates who want to participate in programs and  are eligible, have the opportunity to participate in programs.	127
Review information on the Department of Labor website and utilize some of the resources being offered there in relationship to Apprenticeship. The County could leverage resources of DOL and our local Employment Partners to build into the Jails a quality training/employment path that assists individuals returning to the Community.	128
Gender-responsive, trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, culturally appropriate programming and services for inmates.	180
Ensure that all inmates leave the facility with an exit plan that includes preparation and orientation about support programs for re-entry.	182
Establish and develop inmate programming for both pretrial detainees and inmates convicted and serving sentences.	339
Programming should increase inmates’ capacity to return to the community, participate effectively in family life and work environments, and curtail recidivism.	340
Explore viability of establishing apprenticeship programs with local trade unions to assist inmates in gaining marketable trade skills and job experience.	432
Increase the overall participation in educational, comprehensive programs by expanding programs.	433
Improve the quality and increase the number of classes offered within the comprehensive programs and to increase services offered to inmates.	434
To increase and improve collaboration with community agencies to enhance transitional opportunities for inmates.	435
Creating the Triple P – Parenting Class: with a community agency to for parents with children under the age of 5.	436
Implementing a Continuing Education Class with San Jose State University and Stanford University to create advanced education classes.	437
Creating a Job Development Class for female inmates. Additionally, the Sheriff’s Office is working with Milpitas Adult Education program to implement a job development program for both male and female inmates.	438
Working with a community organization to implement additional Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings in the jail.	439