Sonoma County likely to release low-level inmates earlier

More people will be released sooner from the Sonoma County jail under a new pretrial assessment program aimed at freeing up space for the most dangerous criminals.

Starting Dec. 1, all people booked into the jail will be evaluated under a new system that considers certain factors including their danger to the community, whether they are likely to commit new crimes or if they will return to court.

Those with favorable scores will be released, without bail, at their first appearance before a judge, streamlining the process and reducing the number of less serious offenders in the jail.

“The goal is public safety,” said Randall Walker, assistant sheriff for detention. “To have the high-risk in and the low-risk out. A side effect is lowering the jail count.”

But the program has its critics, including bail bond company owners, who say it will chip into their business while causing more people to fail to appear in court.

Dale Miller, owner of Romelli Bail Bonds in Santa Rosa, said people who normally would pay for his services will instead be released without bond.

Miller said research has shown people are more likely to return to court if they or a family member face a possible financial loss.

“I don’t think anybody in the industry sees it as a good thing,” Miller said. “Bail ensures certain things happen.”

But jail and probation officials said the program won’t change the number of people who post bail. It’s mostly intended for those who can’t afford it and would otherwise languish in jail awaiting trials or other depositions.

“It’s an equity issue,” said David Koch, chief deputy probation officer. “Our axiom here is the right people in the right place for the right amount of time.”

The courts already allow no-bond release, but the new program would help judges decide who is a good fit and possibly expand those who could be eligible. People arrested on charges ranging from public drunkenness to domestic violence will be assessed and graded, based on a list of criteria.

Those among that group deemed to have the least risk would get released with different levels of supervision. Others charged with serious or violent crimes such as murder would continue to be held, along with people arrested while on probation for another offense.

The pretrial release program was one of four recommendations from a consultant analyzing the county’s criminal justice system in 2009, Walker said. Two of the others - a day reporting center and an early case resolution court - have been started. The fourth, a re-entry program for people returning from jail or prison, is still under consideration, he said.

Koch said pretrial release will cost about $1.5 million the first year for payroll, equipment and office renovation. Four new correctional deputies will be hired to conduct risk assessments at booking, and five new probation officers will supervise release.

The county will use prison realignment money it has been receiving from the state since 2011 to pay for the program, Koch said.

You can reach Staff Writer Paul Payne at 568-5312 or paul.payne@press?democrat.com. On Twitter ?@ppayne.