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Q&A
Discussion on the 6A program and approach to releases
2:09:33
ยท
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Council Member Stevens and Commissioner Maginley-Liddie discuss the 6A program, which allows for early release of sentenced individuals. The commissioner explains her approach to using this tool and the factors considered when reviewing cases.
- 78 individuals have been released under 6A during the commissioner's tenure
- The department reviews cases daily, considering public safety, nature of the offense, and conduct while in custody
- A multi-divisional team is involved in the review process, including custody management and programs divisions
Althea Stevens
2:09:33
At the preliminary budget hearing last year, the department testified that in 2022 seventy five people have been released under 6a and with five of them during the tenure.
2:09:44
So you said you have 78 now, so obviously you've increased.
2:09:49
Can you describe your approach to the 6a program as commissioner and how do you intend to use the tools in the next fiscal year?
Lynelle Maginley-Liddie
2:09:56
So I mean again you're we're balancing public safety.
2:10:01
We're looking at the nature of the offense, what brought the individual into our care, but we're also we're also taking a look at their conduct while in custody.
2:10:11
And with the backdrop of this is all we have to ensure that public safety is always looked at.
2:10:17
And so that is the lens that when we're reviewing the individuals who are eligible, and this is done on a daily basis.
Althea Stevens
2:10:24
So you do that daily, and so just thinking about that, how many do you think that you have like looked, like how many cases have you looked through?
Lynelle Maginley-Liddie
2:10:33
We've almost looked, we looked at everybody.
Althea Stevens
2:10:35
So you looked at all 6,870 Yeah,
Lynelle Maginley-Liddie
2:10:39
well the sentenced population.
Althea Stevens
2:10:41
Yeah, okay.
Lynelle Maginley-Liddie
2:10:42
Yeah, not the entire detainee population because again I don't have the authority to do that.
Althea Stevens
2:10:48
So the ones that are eligible you're looking at them as the aliens?
2:10:51
Correct.
Lynelle Maginley-Liddie
2:10:51
And there's a team that's assigned to look at them as well.
2:10:56
This is a multi cross divisional effort because we're looking at our custody management division, also leaning on what programs is saying if the individuals are engaging in programming efforts.
2:11:11
We're also looking at whether that person has a severe infraction history.
2:11:15
Again, but balancing public safety to ensure that if we do release that individual that that person will stay in touch with the program provider that we're connecting them with and that they won't actually recidivate and come back into custody.
Althea Stevens
2:11:28
And I mean obviously you're going to balance public safety so you know you don't have to reiterate that cause I think that that's the goal for all of it but I think it's also just making sure we're looking through the programs and using all the tools that we have to ensure because I'm sure you you know the 78 release, I'm sure they were people that you deemed qualified.