TITLE
Recommendation to receive and file an update on the Justice Lab progress and accomplishments. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
In January 2018, the City of Long Beach (City) launched the Justice Lab to provide staff with new tools to divert individuals experiencing low-level misdemeanors out of the criminal justice system and towards resources such as treatment and care. The Justice Lab originated in the City Manager’s Office of Civic Innovation from their community-focused, data-driven analysis of individuals who had multiple contacts with the criminal justice system. The Justice Lab partners with various City departments, including the Police Department (PD), Fire Department (FD), Health and Human Services (DHHS), the City Prosecutor’s Office, various neighborhood associations, nonprofits, Los Angeles County agencies, and City residents.
The research and analysis performed by the Office of Civic Innovation, formerly known as the i-team, guides the initiatives of the Justice Lab whose goal is to reduce recidivism for low level offenders. The initiatives include:
• Administrative Regulation (AR) 8-32, Inter-department Data-Sharing, developed policies and procedures regarding data-sharing among City departments. The AR enables staff to access information to better serve residents who frequently interact with the justice system.
• Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) convenes City, County, and nonprofit services to coordinate and help individuals navigate services such as mental health, substance abuse, and homeless services.
• Clinician in Jail Program, is a partnership between the PD and The Guidance Center, that provides a mental health professional in the jail who assesses, connects, and diverts individuals to care.
• Priority Access Diversion Program (PAD 2.0), led by City Prosecutor Doug Haubert, offers the opportunity for residential mental health and substance abuse treatments in lieu of County jail time.
• Long Beach GUIDES (Government User Integrated Diversion Enhancement System), equips first responders with needed information to quickly identify what services are most appropriate for residents in need.
• Data Warehouse, part of the City’s Data-Driven Justice initiative (DDJ), brings multiple datasets together to cross-check information from City departments to coordinate wraparound services for residents.
• The California State University Long Beach (CSULB) Rising Scholars Education Lab, is a program launched by formerly incarcerated students to mentor and provide peer support to formerly incarcerated students for success in higher education.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Monica J. Kilaita on September 26, 2018 and by Budget Management Officer Rhutu Amin Gharib on September 27, 2018.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is not time sensitive.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Justice Lab received $1,048,335 in grant funding from The Laura and John Arnold Foundation to support the initiatives. The Justice Lab’s Fiscal Year 2019 Adopted Budget includes $100,000 of one-time funds in the General Fund (GF) in the Police Department (PD), to extend jail clinician services for one year. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
ROBERT G. LUNA
CHIEF OF POLICE
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER