January 11, 2019

CCJBH Reports

The Council on Criminal Justice and Behavioral Health (CCJBH) recently released a research report on Medi-Cal Utilization Among Formerly State Incarcerated Individuals and their 17^th Annual Legislative Report.

The Medi-Cal Utilization report examines health care utilization for individuals formerly incarcerated with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). CCJBH’s research report highlights the need for medical services for those who are integrating back into society after incarceration. According to the report’s findings, access to medical services directly impacts public safety. The full report and executive summary can be found here: Medi-Cal Utilization Exec. Summary and Medi-Cal Utilization Research Report.

Additionally, CCJBH’s 17^th Annual Legislative Report will be the focus of a Legislative Briefing held on January 23 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the State Capitol Bldg., Room 4203 and the CCJBH Full Council will meet January 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Sacramento for a regular business meeting. Agendas and meeting information will be available on their website. A full copy of the report can be found here.

RIPA Board Report

On January 1^st the Racial and Identity Profiling Advisory (RIPA) Board released its second annual report on how stop data is collected and submitted to the Department of Justice (DOJ). The report provides recommendations for law enforcement agencies to enhance their policies, procedures, and trainings in regards to racial profiling and bias.

In summary, the report: reviews the information that law enforcement agencies must collect and report on each stop and how agencies and the DOJ are ensuring the integrity of this data; provides best practice recommendations for agencies in drafting policies and procedures, and trainings regarding racial and identity profiling and civilian complaints;  analyzes the civilian complaint data submitted to the DOJ in 2017;  explores how to address the potential for bias when officers respond to calls for service;  analyzes use of force data submitted to the DOJ in 2017;  and highlights methodologies that the Board may use to analyze the stop data once it is submitted to the DOJ by April 1, 2019. You may find the full report here.

PPIC California’s Future: Corrections Report

The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) recently released a report, California’s Future: Corrections, which takes a look at California’s reduced reliance on incarceration and the continued high spending in the corrections’ arena. The following areas are discussed:

• California’s reliance less on incarceration but it still has higher corrections costs compared to other states.
• Proposition 47’s impact on reducing jail population pressure.
• Slightly fluctuating crime rates that remain near historic lows.
• An ongoing concern of racial and economic equity.
• A look ahead – monitoring crime rates, identifying and implementing cost-effective interventions to reduce recidivism, guiding and evaluating bail reform to address racial equity issues.

Click here to view the entire report.