The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to reject mentally ill prisoners released by the state to the Probation Department without receiving mental health records in advance.

“With less than two weeks before the inmates arrive, the County is bracing for a catastrophic fiscal hit and a spike in crime,” said Antonovich.  “The state’s funding methodology is a veiled attempt to balance its own budget on the backs of counties across the state.  It’s stupid for the state to provide enough funding for only 1,600 jail beds when as many as 8,200 beds may be needed in the first year alone.”

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“However, the Board’s action sends a strong message to the state that we will not allow them to dump their severely mentally ill prisoners on the county,” he added.  “The state’s reckless realignment plan shifting responsibility for thousands of parolees and felons will impact every neighborhood in the state.”

In addition to requesting a direct phone call to the governor’s office during closed session, the Board’s motion also gave County Counsel authority to file legal action against the state, if necessary.