Cook County Sheriff Highlights Program Offerings during 2020 Proposed Budget Hearing

Cook County Board of Commissioners - Finance Committee
Departmental Budget Hearings
October 30, 2019, afternoon session

Cook County Sheriff

Overview of Proposed Budget for Sheriff's Office

• As outlined in the Proposed Budget Book, expenditures remain very near 2019 figures, including FTE count and salaries - no raises expected.
• Sheriff’s Office will continue to focus on reducing violent crime in areas most at risk.
• A Community Corrections Dept. has been created to increase transparency for Electronic Monitoring.
• RENEW AND SWAP Programs will be continued
• Non-Union job titles will be updated to clarify their duties and responsibilities.
• The $7M now available in the operating budget due to reductions in the Jail population and facilities has been used to replace high mileage marked and unmarked police vehicles ($5M) and $2M for various other programs.

Sheriff Dart stressed that he strongly believes in analyzing people’s needs and then implementing programs to meet them, rather than just incarcerating.  The goal should be on preparing offenders to successfully function in the community, he said.  After discussing the budget for 15-20 minutes, he focused on questions from the Commissioners and the numerous programs currently available at Cook County Jail.

PROGRAMS

• RENEW -formerly an unsuccessful “boot camp” program. It is now reconfigured to use inmates to do demolition work such as removing fixtures, tearing down walls in old buildings, etc.  Not only does program provide training, but receives money from sale of iron/copper/wiring and such. Workers can participate while in jail and up to 6 months after return home.
• FEMALE COOKING PROGRAM - Privately funded.  This was an idea suggested by the women residents and has proved very successful.
• FATHER & SON GET-TOGETHERS – Play chess and other board games while visiting.
• There are many other programs at the jail ranging from photography to art to yoga.    A Pilot Program is being considered to utilize these programs for offenders on electronic monitoring while living at home, making use of time to prepare for life after release.

ELECTRONIC MONITORING

• The question of cost for electronic monitors was discussed. There are currently approximately 2,300 offenders on electronic monitoring.  700 alarms go off every day, and these have to be investigated.  Taking out the garbage, being late in returning home from work due to transportation issues, faulty wiring can set off the alarms.  Phone calls and home visits are sometimes required.  This is a labor intensive and costly procedure. 
• Another issue discussed was solitary confinement. THERE IS NO SOLITARY CONFINEMENT AT COOK COUNTY.  Offenders are out of cells at least 4 hours a day, outside if possible.  They are ankle chained to a table with other inmates to enable conversation and group interaction, board games and such.  Dart emphasized, this is a jail, not a prison.
• RECIDIVISM- Sheriff Dart stated 3,000 of the jail population require mental health care.  While incarcerated, they receive these services; however, when released into the community, mental health services are scarce, and unfortunately, after 3-6 months, many former residents return.  

THE FUTURE –

• The Sheriff intends to increase focus on domestic violence, affordable housing, and services for the LGBT communities.  Asked if the legalization of marijuana will have an impact on incarceration, he did not think so, except possibly an increase in DUI.
• The hearing ended after 2 hours when Sheriff’s staff brought in 2 therapy dogs.  

​Observer: Carole Cotter