As part of the recently-enacted State Budget Package, $500 million in lease revenue bonds was authorized through Senate Bill 863 to address jail construction and programming space needs. RCRC staff followed up with the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) earlier this week to get a clear understanding of how the BSCC intends to move forward to prepare the Request for Proposals, which includes program development and the application process.
As with previous iterations of state jail construction grants, the BSCC will first select Co-Chairs for a future 9-13 member Executive Steering Committee (ESC). The ESC will be charged to develop a variety of recommendations for SB 863 program development including funding and selection criteria and application requirements. At this time, the BSCC does not anticipate they will provide any type of priority consideration for previous Senate Bill 1022 jail construction funding applicants as the SB 863 program differs from the SB 1022 program by placing a stronger emphasis on programming space versus jail capacity space. Additionally, SB 863 foresees stronger application requirements on counties’ pre-trial populations and the use and implementation of risk assessment-based pre-trial programs.
The BSCC will hold their first meeting on September 11, 2014 in Pomona, where they intend to determine who will lead the ESC. The BSCC anticipates the full process will take anywhere from nine months to a full year before any funding will be awarded, including up to four months for counties to prepare their applications for the ESC consideration.
RCRC will continue to provide updates on the SB 863 jail construction program as information becomes available. As with previous jail construction funding programs, RCRC will advocate for dedicated funding for California’s small counties to address their ongoing programming and capacity needs.