Public Hearings Set on ‘Recidivism’ Definition

SACRAMENTO – A Board of State and Community Corrections committee made up of public safety officials and subject matter experts has released a draft of its definition of “recidivism,” a key term that will be useful in measuring progress on Realignment goals. The proposed definition is as follows: “Recidivism is defined as a conviction of a new crime committed within three years of release from custody or committed within three years of placement on supervision for a previous criminal conviction.” The BSCC will accept public comment and input on the definition in writing from June 3 until July 3. In addition, the BSCC will hold public hearings in Fresno on June 18, in Los Angeles on June 19 and in San Francisco on June 25. The committee will consider public comment before making recommendations to the BSCC. The committee continues to work on other standard definitions related to Realignment. In an effort to make consistent the data collected across 58 counties, in 2013 Governor Jerry Brown signed AB 1050, which requires the BSCC to develop definitions so that the state can provide a standard that counties can use to measure the effectiveness of their evidence-based rehabilitative practices. AB 1050 amended Section 6027 of the Penal Code to require the board to: “Develop definitions of key terms, including, but not limited to, ‘recidivism,’ ‘average daily population,’ ‘treatment program completion rates,’ and any other terms deemed relevant in order to facilitate consistency in local data collection, evaluation, and implementation of evidence-based practices, promising evidence-based practices, and evidence-based programs.” The committee has been meeting since Jan. 30 to develop the first definition. It is hoped that counties and law enforcement agencies will use the standard definitions for these key terms once all are developed and approved by the BSCC. Since 2011 California has been investing hundreds of millions of dollars at the local level so that low-level, non-violent offenders and parole violators would serve their terms in county jails, closer to support systems and the rehabilitative programming that officials of the 58 counties determine work best for their communities. A central goal of Realignment is reducing recidivism. The BSCC is mandated by AB 109 to collect and maintain data about state and community correction policies, practices and needs. Having standard definitions will promote consistent statewide reporting.

Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) Draft Recidivism Definition Regional Public Comment Sessions

Assembly Bill (AB) 1050 (Chapter 270, Statutes of 2013) tasked the BSCC with defining several key terms in an effort to facilitate consistency in data reporting. Specifically AB 1050 states: Develop definitions of key terms, including, but not limited to, “recidivism,” “average daily population,” “treatment program completion rates,” and any other terms deemed relevant in order to facilitate consistency in local data collection, evaluation, and implementation of evidence-based practices, promising evidence-based practices, and evidence-based programs. In conjunction with subject matter experts the BSCC has developed the following draft definition of recidivism.

Adult Recidivism Definition Recidivism is defined as a conviction of a new crime committed within three years of release from custody or committed within three years of placement on supervision for a previous criminal conviction. Measurement The above base definition was developed to promote consistent statewide reporting. However other useful elements can be measured to better understand recidivism trends. These include, but are not limited to arrests, returns to custody, and technical violations of conditions of supervision.

The BSCC is hosting public comment sessions on the above draft recidivism definition to allow interested parties and the general public an opportunity to offer thoughts and/or suggested changes. Public comments will be accepted by mail or electronically through Thursday, July 3, 2014, or in person at the following locations*.

Central CaliforniaSouthern California Thursday, June 19, 2014. 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Office of the District Attorney Foltz Criminal Justice Center 210 W. Temple Street, Room 18-709 Los Angeles, California 90012 Bay Area Wednesday, June 25, 2014 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Milton Marks Conference Center Monterey Room 455 Golden Gate Avenue San Francisco, CA. 94102

Electronic and/or written comments may be submited to: recidivism@bscc.ca.gov or Board of State and Community Corrections Attn: Ricardo Goodridge 600 Bercut Drive, Sacramento, CA 95811 If special accommodations are needed at any of the above sessions please contact Field Representative Ricardo Goodridge at (916) 341-5160