June 13, 2012
CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO
JUVENILE PROBATION COMMISSION
JUVENILE PROBATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
Regular Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
5:30 p.m.
City Hall, Hearing Room 408
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102
Commissioners
Julian Chang, President
Dirk Beijen, Vice President
Katharine Albright
Joseph Arellano
Susan Jones
Sarah Ching Ting Wan
Rebecca Woodson
Meeting Minutes
1. Roll Call
• The Commission President called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. Commissioners Albright, Arellano, Beijen, Chang, Jones, Wan and Woodson were present.
2. Public comments.
• No public comments.
3. Review and Approval of the Full Commission Meeting Minutes of May 9, 2012 (ACTION ITEM)
• Motion to approve the May 9, 2012 Full Commission Meeting Minutes by COMM Beijen, second by COMM Albright, and approved by the rest of the Commission.
• No public comments.
4. Report to the Commission (DISCUSSION ONLY)
a. Chief’s Report:
• JJC Census Report:
Chief Siffermann discussed the Juvenile Hall comparative analysis census report for April 2007 and April 2009 (report also online under JPC supporting documents). The report describes the population in JJC: pending investigation; pending adjudication; adjudicated pending dispositions; awaiting placement; miscellaneous (admissions to detention); JJC commitments; direct file (while under JJC care, but matter is awaiting in adult criminal court).
• In 2007, 156 youths were in custody; in 2012, 69 youths were in custody. JPD quickly conducts investigations to present matters to the District Attorney for review and to be placed on a detention hearing calendar, but the population in detention is due to “pending adjudication” and “adjudicated pending disposition.” This takes time to process with attorneys discussing the facts of the case; and disposition, which adds to the length of stay. JPD has made significant improvements in getting kids out of Juvenile Hall and onto their placements. The cases noted in the report have already been concluded with the courts. Under “miscellaneous,” kids are brought in for medical exams; and probation violations, which have been reduced since Chief Siffermann has been in his position.
• The total bed days in 04/07, was 6,879, and the total population consumed those beds. In 04/12, the total bed days were 5,135, and the total population was half of the beds provided. The number of kids committed to Juvenile Hall has increased, as noted in “JJC commitments” and “direct file.” There is a rising number of kids that are “adjudicated pending disposition” languishing in detention. It’s not how many kids come into detention, it’s how long they stay. It’s up to the adults to adjudicate on these cases.
• The average length of stay has gone up by 30 days: in 04/12, it was 74 days; in 2007, it was 44 days, with more kids. JPD is aware of the impact of long-term commitments on JJC regarding the average daily population and the length of stay. This report was presented for discussion at the Delinquency Admin meeting, with the presiding judge of the Unified Family Court, Judge Mahoney, sitting judges, attorneys, and probation, to give JPD’s perspective on the impact on the kids housed at Juvenile Hall. JPD has not received feedback to share. Chief Siffermann expressed at this meeting that long-term commitments to Juvenile Hall are not effective; the programming and space is not intended for long-term or weekend stays; yet long-term commitment continues to rise. Housing kids over the age of 18 years also poses a management and overcrowding problem. JPD is resisting the request to expand the programming for long-term commitments because kids will be committed until they receive their high school diplomas. There are other forms of community supervision that have a better chance of impacting kids instead of the overuse of long-term commitment, however, JPD will continue with its analysis and is open for suggestions.
• Chief Siffermann also discussed Mayor Lee’s program, Camp Mather Team Outdoor Experience, which will occur in late August. The program, led by Assistant Chief Nance, is for probation youth and could possibly provide employment at the end of the program. Applications have gone out for 60 youths. 38 youths attended last year.
• No public comments.
b. Committee Reports
5. Public comment on all matters pertaining to Item 7 below, Closed Session, including public comment on vote whether to hold Item 7 in closed session.
• No public comments.
6. Vote on whether to hold closed session, including vote on whether to assert the attorney-client privilege with regard to Item 7(a) (San Francisco Administrative Code Section 67.10) (ACTION).
• Motion to hold closed session by COMM Albright, second by COMM Beijen, and approved by the rest of the Commission.
7. Closed Session
Roll Call;
a. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a) and San Francisco
Administrative Code Section 67.10(d)(1): (DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION)
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – Existing Litigation
Dallabrida v. CCSF, SF Superior Court Case #515-117, 10/19/11
Lam v. CCSF, Dist Ct, ND Cal Case #C08-4702, 4/28/09
Lam v. CCSF, Dist Ct, ND Cal Case #C10-4641, 7/26/11
Resident Minors of CCSF v. CCSF, Dist Ct, ND Cal Case #C10-4838, 10/25/10
(OPEN SESSION) Roll Call.
• Commissioners Albright, Arellano, Beijen, Chang, Jones, Wan and Woodson were present.
8. Vote to elect whether to disclose any or all discussion on Item 9 held in closed session (San Francisco Administrative Code Section 67.12(a)) (ACTION)
• Motion to not disclose closed session by COMM Beijen, second by COMM Albright, and approved by the rest of the Commission.
• No public comments.
9. Future Agenda Items (ACTION ITEM)
Announcements:
• COMM Chang appeared at the Rules Committee and the Youth Commission discussed capital needs. He commended Chief Siffermann and Ms. Magee for their efforts and suggested that the Commissioners stop by the Youth Commission and introduce themselves.
• COMM Chang discussed touring JJC, by a special meeting or individual tours, regarding safety issues. He expressed that the central playing field is not a secure area and feels that items can be easily thrown over the fence.
• COMM Chang said the City is requesting that everyone use direct deposit to cut down on costs.
• COMM Chang said that the Full Commission will not meet in July. The next Full Commission meeting will be held on August 9th in City Hall, Hearing Room 408, at 5:30 p.m.
• COMM Chang asked the Commissioners to bring ideas to the August meeting for the next off-site meeting location. COMM Wan will check with Chinatown YMCA; and the Commission Secretary will check with Mission High School and Northern Station at Turk and Fillmore.
10. Adjournment (ACTION ITEM)
• The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
