In the face of ongoing delays in implementing life-saving pretrial services in Los Angeles County jails, Michelle Parris, director of Vera California, has expressed serious concerns and called for immediate action. Parris criticized the county's decision to contract with management consultancy firm Accenture in a multi-million dollar deal, viewing it as a further setback when urgent measures are needed to address the increasing number of deaths in the jails.
Three years ago, a consensus was reached between Vera, county leaders, and community stakeholders to establish an independent pretrial services entity. This entity was meant to provide supportive services separate from law enforcement agencies. Despite the urgent need for its implementation, the initiative appears to have stalled, leaving stakeholders to start from scratch in briefing Accenture on the local pretrial landscape.
Parris stressed the importance of enacting gold-standard pretrial practices, which Vera has been advocating for. These practices range from court date reminders to transportation assistance and are rooted in preserving the presumption of innocence and adopting a "care first" approach for individuals transitioning out of jail. Parris called on the county to reconsider its strategy and appoint a seasoned director for the pretrial services, someone with experience in implementing "care first" programs and a strong commitment to making these services a reality.
Parris emphasized that further reports, research, and ideation are not needed. Concrete action is required to launch the much-needed pretrial services system that the people of Los Angeles deserve. The ongoing delays and rising death toll in the jails call for immediate and tangible solutions to address this pressing issue.
See also:
- Michelle Parris, the director of Vera California, has voiced the organization's deep concern over the persistent delays in the rollout of critical pretrial services in Los Angeles County jails, a situation that has been met with increasing deaths within the facilities.
- In a recent statement, Parris criticized Los Angeles County's engagement with the management consultancy firm Accenture in a multi-million dollar contract, viewing it as another postponement at a time when swift and decisive action is desperately needed to curb the rising death toll in the jails.
- According to the release, over three years ago, a consensus was reached through the collective efforts of Vera, county leaders, and community stakeholders to establish an independent pretrial services entity. A decision backed by the Board of Supervisors aimed to position this body externally to the law enforcement agencies, focusing on delivering an array of supportive services.
- Despite the consistent affirmations from numerous county workgroups on the urgency of setting this entity in motion, the initiative seems stalled, forcing the stakeholders to virtually start from scratch in briefing the newly contracted Accenture on the local pretrial landscape.
- Parris emphasized the vitality of enacting gold-standard pretrial practices, which Vera has notably advocated for through publishing resources and mobilizing experts nationwide. These services range from simple court date reminders to aiding transportation, practices grounded in preserving the presumption of innocence and adopting a "care first" approach for individuals transitioning out of jail.
- The director strongly urged the county to reconsider its strategy, proposing the immediate appointment of a seasoned director for the pretrial services, someone with a background in initiating "care first" programs and willing to work fervently to actualize the much-needed services.
- Parris said, "We do not need more reports or research or ideation. We need concrete action to launch the kind of pretrial services system the people of Los Angeles have long deserved."
-
Study shows fentanyl-laced stimulant deaths have increased dramatically
September 15, 2023
-
Smith holds child trafficking hearing: ‘Unaccompanied minors coming across our southern border may be the new victims’
September 15, 2023
-
Mexico border called deadliest in the world: ‘These alarming figures are a stark reminder of the need for decisive action’
September 15, 2023
-
Cartel and Mexican State collusion: Complex issue, and major factor in the continued operation of criminal drug organizations in Mexico
September 14, 2023
-
Information Technology Industry Council applauds release of draft of Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity Supply Chain Agreement
September 14, 2023
