Sponsor: Sheriff's Office
Title
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Request for Proposals for Communication Services for Individuals In-Custody
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Recommendation
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Authorize the issuance of Request for Proposals for communication services for individuals in-custody in accordance with the county’s procurement policies and procedures, with direction to staff to return to the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners with a recommendation for selection of a contractor.
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Background and Rationale
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The Sheriff’s Office operates the Adult Detention Center (ADC), commonly referred to as the Ramsey County jail, which is a 500-bed pre-trial facility providing safe and secure detention services to individuals following their arrest until a court disposition is reached. As required by law and to provide support for those who are housed in-custody, the Sheriff’s Office offers a variety of services to individuals in-custody, including educational programming, chemical addiction classes, parenting classes, and religious services. Through the use of contractors, commissary, trust accounting, food service, telephone, and video visitation services are also provided.
On May 8, 2024, the Sheriff’s Office plans to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the ADC for comprehensive communication services for individuals in-custody. The RFP is seeking responses from qualified contractors to provide phone calling, video visitation, and tablet programming services. It is important to note that while in-custody at any detention or correctional facility in the state, individuals must be provided access to a telephone during admission and to “maintain contact with family members or significant others.” Video visitation and tablets are optional services. Tablets are not currently utilized in the ADC and is a new service for expanding programming, education, and communication opportunities.
Historically, the county has charged fees for phone calling and video visitation services. However, consistent with the county’s work to reduce and eliminate criminal fines and fees, phone calling and video visitation fees are in the process of being phased out. Under the resulting agreement, which is estimated to be executed in December 2024, service fees for phone calling and video visitation will no longer be charged.
The Sheriff’s Office will return to the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners for approval of the resulting agreement following the county’s procurement evaluation and selection process.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
There is a disproportionate amount of people of color and individuals with mental illness involved in the criminal justice system. This action will help strengthen quality service delivery to individuals in-custody and their friends and family members, and the community.
Community Participation Level and Impact
Through the Bail Reform Work Group and other community engagement efforts by the county, community members have expressed a desire for free phone calling to maintain contact with their family members and friends while they are in-custody.
☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☒ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
The costs associated with providing free phone calling is being covered by State Public Safety Aid. Funding of $1,600,000 has already been allocated for phone access and fee elimination at the Adult Detention Center. State public safety aid will also make up for loss revenue, which has covered the costs for individuals for clothing, hygiene items, linens, haircuts, and programming.
Last Previous Action
On February 27, 2024, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners held a workshop “Adult Detention Center: Inmate Phone Access & Fee Reduction.”
On December 12, 2023, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners held a workshop “Adult Detention Center: Staffing & Operations Update.”
On September 26, 2023, the Ramey County Board of Commissioners accepted the Legislative Public Safety Aid funds for Public Safety Programs and Initiatives in the amount of $6,029,000 and approved $1,600,000 for Adult Detention Center phone access and fee elimination (Resolution B2023-162).
On September 19, 2023, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners held a Policy Discussion regarding the use of public safety state aid, which included an allocation for reducing or eliminating inmate phone calling fees.
On December 17, 2019, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners approved the current agreement for phone calling services, which included service fee reductions.
Attachments
1. Request for Proposals