Supervisors want more detail on effects of prison realignment

Los Angeles County supervisors unanimously ordered the Probation Department on Tuesday to develop clearer goals and statistics on the care of people recently released from jail or state prison.

Under a new law, probation officials have been supervising about 6,000 ex-prisoners who were previously monitored by the state. The plan, known as realignment, was signed by Gov. Jerry Brown last year and was meant to reduce prison overcrowding.

Supervisors have long complained that probation officials were not providing them with timely information about the probationers, including how many are not reporting to mandatory meetings. They have also worried that county statistics show that only 15% of released inmates have received treatment such as drug and alcohol counseling.

“What we’re trying to understand is how do we have accountability?” said Supervisor Gloria Molina.

The board motion, written by Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, did not specify which statistics probation officials should keep. It also called for studying whether more services can be provided to inmates at the same location, making it easier for them to make appointments and undergo examinations without traveling large distances, and ensuring more participation from community groups.

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-- Jason Song at the County Hall of Administration