Sponsor: Community Corrections
Title
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Joint Powers Agreement with State of Minnesota for Intensive Supervised Release
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Recommendation
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1. Approve the Joint Powers Agreement with the State of Minnesota,1450 Energy Park Drive, Suite 200, St. Paul, MN 55108, for Intensive Supervised Release Programming for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027.
2. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the Joint Powers Agreement.
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Background and Rationale
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Adults released from Minnesota prisons are assigned to supervised release or intensive supervised release based on the type of offense and their risk for reoffending. Adults remain on supervised release/intensive supervised release until they reach expiration of their sentence.
The goal of the Intensive Supervised Release (ISR) program is to protect the safety of the public by monitoring client behavior and participation in treatment, checking progress by developing and maintaining contacts with the client, his/her family and community members involved with the client.
The Community Corrections department is staffed by 10.0 Full-time Equivalent (FTE) Probation Officers III positions, and 1.0 FTE Community Corrections Supervisor, for a total of 11.0 FTE. This agreement with the state provides partial reimbursement of the costs of the ISR program. The agents assigned to this program work as a team to provide supervision to all cases, although each client has a primary worker responsible for his/her case management. Agents meet with each other and the team supervisor on a weekly basis to evaluate the progress of each client and plan priorities for case supervision.
In addition, the ISR team works with probation staff, supervised release staff, and predatory offender staff located in the same building. ISR staff currently provide intensive supervision for the county’s most serious and high-risk adults. Duration of program phases, frequency of client contacts, and all other program elements are conducted as required by statute and the current Intensive Community Supervision Policies and Procedures.
The Intensive Supervised Release agreement with Minnesota Department of Corrections is long standing and for the last 20 years has operated as a grant. During 2025, the State of Minnesota changed the grant to a Joint Powers Agreement. Community Corrections is requesting approval to continue providing these services.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☐ Opportunity ☐ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
Adults of color and/or American Indian represent 34% of Ramsey County’s adult population but account for 70% of those who violated their supervision and were returned to prison. Black men alone accounted for 53% of those returned to prison yet represent just 7% of Ramsey County adult residents. By continued support of the ISR program, Community Corrections can provide intensive supports to clients who are at highest risk of returning to prison. Community Corrections does this by facilitating the transition to regular supervision-with supervisor approval-for clients who have completed treatment or are making consistent progress in programming, are engaged in prosocial activities, maintain stable housing and employment, have a support system, and have not incurred any new violations.
Community Participation Level and Impact
Community Corrections has received consistent funding for ISR over the past 20 years, yet there has been limited involvement from the broader community in the process. Moving forward, Community Corrections will evaluate and explore community participation needs for this action.
The Intensive Supervised Release (ISR) program is designed to protect public safety by closely monitoring clients and providing tailored support to aid their reintegration into society. As part of this, Community Corrections acknowledges the importance of fostering strong community engagement.
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
The revenue remains at $981,900 annually and provides no change to the fiscal impact. The funding for the ISR services along with revenues for this agreement are accounted for and supported within the department's 2025 budget.
Last Previous Action
None
Attachments
1. Joint Powers Agreement