AB 109 Affecting Number of Trained Personnel at CDCR Fire Camps

Currently CDCR operates 39 adult and juvenile Fire Camps with the California Dept of Forestry and Fire Protection with one of the main fire camp training facilities being Sierra Conservation Center in Jamestown. The minimum custody inmates, with no history of violent behavior, are trained in fire suppression and other emergencies such as floods and earthquakes. In addition, fire crews work on conservation projects on public lands and provide labor on local community services projects. The CDCR/CALFIRE annual operating budget is approximately $2.35 million per camp with an annual savings to Californians of $80 million.

Historically 4,000 offenders participate yearly in the Conservation Camp Program, which has approximately 200 fire crews, however, according to CalFire Director Ken Pilmott due to attrition and  AB 109 realignment the camps numbers have been reduced by 1500.

BI Inc to run Calaveras Adult Day Reporting Center - minus the electronic monitoring component

AB109, which has been in place since October 1, 2011, reduces the prison population in State prisons by sending the N3's (non- violent, non-serious, non- sex offenders) to the county whence they came to serve their time within the county jail or probation programs. Trailer bills SB89 and AB 188 followed to ensure funding for AB 109. According to BI Inc, when Calaveras County signs the contract with BI Inc, the contracted adult day reporting center will be open within in 60 days.There has been no confirmation on the date of the signing of the contract from either BI Inc or Chief or Probation.

AB 109 - Prison realignment - one year later

It is clear that AB 109 has reduced the inmate population in the State prisons, what is not clear is the actual ramifications of this at the county level. According to CDCR AB109 has cut the number of inmates in the state's 33 prisons by more than 24,000.


At the County level the Community Corrections Partnership (CCP) developed a plan for implementation of prison realignment that was accepted by the BOS. The CCP is comprised of: the Chief Probation Officer, Chief of Police, Sheriff, District Attorney, Public Defender, Presiding Judge, and a representative from either Dept of Social service or Mental Health appointed by the BOS.

Vote to support funding for Sheriff Dept 3-2 Tryon and Callaway vote no

AB109 funds came up again in budget discussion and sup plantation of funds was clarified, it was made clear that the AB109 funds cannot go into general fund. Tofanelli stated he felt he was forced to create a position within the Sheriff Dept due to the shifting of staff to appease the AB109 requirements.

DA Yook made a presentation regarding her departments ability - or inability - to prosecute cases properly with a lack of trained detectives or law enforcement creating the reports that are sent to her department.  Speaking in favor of more deputies/detectives, Tofanelli stated that detectives are a necessity, that if funds are approved they should be used for the “appropriate amount of detectives to relieve stress on the DA” to complete her job effectively. Spellman pointed to the “safety of general public and officers themselves” along with  extra staff time spent in multiple departments and the effective pursuit of prosecution based on appropriate documentation of records.

Wilensky - yes, Callaway-no, Tryon – no, Spellman – yes, Tofanelli – yes.

For full video CLICK HERE

Thank you Calaveras Public Access TV and Community Action Project for video.

According to the Sheriff PIO, a total of three postitions will be filled and the interview process will begin in October. Some applications received have been laterals however some applications may come from those 'fresh out of the academy.'

CDCR reaches second court benchmark to reduce prison crowding

SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) today announced that it has met an important benchmark to reduce the state’s prison population.

A Three-Judge Court order, affirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court, requires CDCR to cut its prison population to 124,000 by June 27, 2012 and ultimately reduce overcrowding by 34,000 inmates. On June 20, the most recent count, California’s prison inmate population was 121,129. This achievement is the result of Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.’s public safety Realignment policy, which ensures that many lower-level offenders are punished and managed at the local level.

Realignment in the Tri County – AB109 – increasing county jail population

In 2011 Governor Jerry Brown signed AB109, a bill that was to “close the revolving door of low-level inmates cycling in and out of state prisons” which commenced October 1, 2011. At the County level planning process, called the Community Corrections Partnership (CCP), an implementation plan is required to be developed to recommend to the Board of Supervisors (BOS) for the Public Safety Realignment. The CCP is comprised of: the Chief Probation Officer, Chief of Police, Sheriff, District Attorney, Public Defender, Presiding Judge, and a representative from either Dept of Social service or Mental Health appointed by the BOS.

According to a spokesperson within the Calaveras County District Attorney’s Office the Executive Committee of the CCP voted on a plan on January 13, 2012 and will be presenting it to the BOS in the near future.