Multnomah County has approved the use of $1.36 million from its contingency funds to sustain a vital pretrial release program. This initiative aims to keep individuals accused of crimes out of jail until their trials, thereby preserving limited jail beds for more serious offenders. The decision was made by the county’s Board of Commissioners last week, allowing the Close Street Supervision program to operate until the end of the fiscal year.
Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell had previously informed the board that a cut of $1.4 million to state funding for county jail beds would necessitate the termination of the pretrial supervision program to address budgetary shortfalls. While the allocated contingency funds provide temporary relief, the future of the program beyond June 2024 remains uncertain.
Program Overview and Current Challenges
Multnomah County offers two pretrial release programs. The first is managed by the Department of Community Justice, which caters to those assessed as low-risk for missing court appearances or committing further crimes. For individuals deemed higher risk to public safety, the Close Street program provides a more intensive level of supervision.
According to Sarah Mullen, executive director of the Local Public Safety Coordinating Council, Close Street has been grappling with excessive caseloads and insufficient supportive services. As of September 24, 2023, the program was overseeing 624 participants, significantly up from 297 in the fall of 2022. Records indicate that the program has only eight full-time employees dedicated to managing these cases.
A report on county jail occupancy revealed that, on average, 973 of the 1,130 jail beds were occupied daily in September. The rising number of participants in the Close Street program highlights the pressing need for effective management and resource allocation.
Future Directions and Budget Considerations
In light of these challenges, Commissioners Meghan Moyer and Julia Brim-Edwards have proposed a budget note encouraging the Local Public Safety Coordinating Council’s subcommittee on pretrial release to explore alternative programs. They aim to provide recommendations for transitioning away from the Close Street model. Commissioner Brim-Edwards expressed hope that the subcommittee’s work would yield innovative solutions for pretrial services.
The decision to allocate contingency funds comes after the county’s board approved budget adjustments that included cuts across various departments, such as the Public Health Division and Youth and Family Services Division, in response to budget deficits. The county is also considering further budget cuts to the Homeless Services Department, which is struggling with a significant fiscal shortfall due to reductions in state funding.
Additionally, Multnomah County has faced a loss of over $1 million in federal grants this year, raising concerns about future funding stability. This uncertain financial landscape may lead to more budgetary constraints in the coming months. The allocation of funds to support the Close Street Supervision program, while a temporary fix, underscores the ongoing challenges facing local governments in managing their public safety resources effectively.
