To: Board of Supervisors
From: Sheriff
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Expansion of Educational Tablets in the Correctional Facility
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Authorize the Chair of the Board of Supervisors to sign three originals of an Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement between Jail Education Solutions, Inc. (Edovo) and the County of Humboldt for a 6-month extension to the current program; and
2. Authorize the Chair of the Board of Supervisors to execute any additional modifications, amendments or extensions for the duration of the agreement.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Budget Unit 243 - Sheriff’s Jail, line item 2557 - Inmate Welfare Fund
DISCUSSION:
Assembly Bill 109 and Proposition 47 have stated goals of reducing recidivism, among others. Implementation of these laws has resulted in a change of philosophy regarding the role of correctional facilities in providing educational curriculum to inmates. Programs aimed at reducing recidivism create greater demands on resources and staffing.
To overcome some of these barriers, companies are now introducing tablets for inmate use, focusing primarily on presenting educational programs to inmates in restrictive housing or inmates who are unable to attend group classes due to security concerns.
Edovo has developed educational curriculum for use on tablets that will interface with the programs currently provided by College of the Redwoods. The proposed 6-month extension of the existing pilot program will allow for an expansion of tablets to all inmate housing areas of the jail. The program will allow inmates in more segregated housing to access the tablets.
A secondary benefit enables inmates the opportunity to achieve educational benchmarks on the tablets and earn points towards entertainment rewards, such as movies, music, etc. These rewards will help occupy inmates’ time and hopefully create a more tranquil atmosphere for both inmates and staff alike. Inmates will also be allowed to purchase personal time on tablets for communication with family.
The county is currently in the process of a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Jail Management System and Inmate Telephone System. The tablet program will be included in the RFP process and may be consolidated with that agreement. The Sheriff’s Office’s current contract for the Jail Management System and Inmate Telephone System ends on July 1, 2019. This 6-month extension with Edovo would allow the Sheriff’s Office to continue to provide services to the pilot group and expand to the rest of the inmate population. Additionally, the correctional facility will receive the necessary infrastructure to serve the rest of the inmate population. The expanded infrastructure will be compatible for use with any tablet vendors that may be awarded the contract in the future.
The attached Professional Services Agreement (Attachment 1) from Edovo outlines the terms of the 6-month extension. Edovo anticipates a 60-day implementation period for the project, which includes network configuration, equipment delivery, training for staff and on-site testing. At the conclusion of the 6-month extension, the Sheriff’s Office will either have inmate tablets included in the new contract for Inmate Telephone Systems or it will likely enter into a multi-year contract with Edovo to continue their services.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The Sheriff’s Correctional Facility has negotiated an initial network set-up fee for the expansion project of $21,000, due upon execution of this amendment. Additionally, each tablet is leased for $1.25 per day, payable monthly. This fixed fee cost per tablet includes: device hardware (tablets, wireless infrastructure cabling), licensing and support of the Edovo suite, Insight application, and course editor. Total costs for setup and leasing of 220 tablets during the 6-month extension are detailed below.
Costs for the education tablets and curriculum through Edovo will be paid entirely by the Sheriff’s Inmate Welfare Fund, Trust 3884. This trust fund receives revenue from the commissions earned from the commissary and telephones in the jail. Funds in the Inmate Welfare Fund trust are used exclusively for inmate programs such as General Education Development (GED) certificate and other classes, inmate law library, medical co-pay, and supplies. The balance of Trust 3884 is $834,926 as of Jan. 14, 2019. There is no request for a General Fund allocation.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by supporting self reliance of citizens.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board of Supervisors may choose not to approve the amendment to the Professional Services Agreement however, this is not recommended. If not approved, Correctional Facility educational programs cannot appropriately be expanded to meet legislative mandates.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Amendment to Professional Services Agreement with Jail Education Solutions, Inc.
2. Professional Services Agreement with Jail Education Solutions, Inc.
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: C-10
Meeting of: April 11, 2017