Update: Stanislaus leaders approve Homeboy Industries-like program to help former inmates
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Stanislaus County leaders on Tuesday unanimously approved a $1.5 million budget item to create a reentry program modeled after Southern California’s Homeboy Industries for people coming out of county jail or state prison.
The program inspired by Father Gregory Boyle’s work with gang members and former inmates will offer a supportive environment for the transition to living in the community.
The executive committee of the county’s Community Corrections Partnership recommended a Homeboy-inspired program as an addition to the 2011 Public Safety Realignment Plan.
The county Board of Supervisors approved several additions Tuesday to the $41.5 million realignment budget including the Homeboy-inspired program. County departments that are recommended for funding still have to make funding requests for individual programs.
Under the Public Defender’s Office, the proposed Homeboy program will address the post-incarceration needs of offenders, such as job skills training, mental health services and support from peers. According to a report for Tuesday’s meeting, the goals are to prevent future arrests, reduce recidivism and relieve the burden on the criminal justice system.
Former inmates would play a key role in providing the support network for program participants.
Supervisor Terry Withrow said the county has wanted to launch a program since a visit to Homeboy Industries seven years ago, which led to Boyle giving inspirational talks in Ceres and Modesto Junior College.
One thing was missing in trying to plan for a Stanislaus version of Homeboy Industries. “We did not have a Father Boyle,” Withrow said. “We are hoping now we have someone who might fit that description.” That person is community activist Michael Baldwin.
The program could begin almost immediately because Baldwin’s Legacy Alliance Outreach already is working with people who are coming out of county jail or prison. The county would contract with Legacy to operate the program.
The nonprofit alliance is supporting 25 participants, helping them to get established in life after incarceration. Some of them were involved with a planning team that worked on a design and recommendations for the Stanislaus Homeboy program.
Baldwin said Boyle’s are enormous shoes to fill. Baldwin doesn’t have a background in the Catholic Church and said one of his main qualifications was his desire to change after serving 26 years in prison. He said he knew Boyle from the Jesuit priest’s visits to people in prison.
“Father G is a unique individual and I think I am a unique individual in my own way,” Baldwin said.
Legacy’s executive director has the lived experience that’s valued in Homeboy-like programs. The Chicago native disclosed that his double-life sentence was for kidnapping, robbery and attempted sexual assault. He was paroled in 2018 and has directed Legacy Alliance for a year and six months.
According to his LinkedIn page, Baldwin has served as vice chairman of the Juvenile Justice Commission in Stanislaus County and is a former director of community outreach for Mercy and Grace Ministries.
An important aspect of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles is an immediate job for those newly entering the program. The local program will need partnerships with employers willing to provide a second chance for those coming out of incarceration.
Baldwin said a couple of employers have hired Legacy participants for catering work and other jobs. Along with the 25 people in the program, 30 more are on a waiting list until funding is available to assist them with services.
Several speakers at Tuesday’s board meeting said they supported efforts to give a second chance to people on parole. California’s prison population has shrunk from a peak of 173,000 inmates to less than 97,000 and, through the 2011 realignment, the state has shifted responsibility for many offenders to counties.
“These programs that are helping people are very much needed,” said Jesse Vargas, who identified himself as an ex-parolee. “It is helping them to get back on their feet and accomplish their goals.”
Baldwin said plans for the Stanislaus program include developing what Homeboy calls social enterprises. In Los Angeles, Homeboy-developed businesses, such as a bakery and diner, are operated by former incarcerated people.
Tattoo removal could be another service provided by the local Homeboy program.
County supervisors approved other additions to the Public Safety Realignment plan:
A $173,000 budget item to expand the District Attorney’s victim services unit. The money along with a 3% annual increase will fund two victim advocate positions and emergency assistance supplies.
$259,000 for a Public Defender attorney to support the vision of “holistic’ defense, through early representation resulting in reduced recidivism.
An additional $3.1 million for the Sheriff’s Department to build outdoor recreation yards at the county jail. The sheriff’s office received $1 million in this fiscal year to meet the state’s “out of cell” standards for detention facilities, but additional funding is needed due to increased construction costs.
Almost $200,000 for a substance use disorder counselor embedded in the Community Assessment, Response and Engagement team.
$2.1 million to create a Mental Health Treatment Court and behavioral health diversion team.
