Current Issues Facing The Sheriff's Department

By Michael Hennessey

Since virtually all county jail prisoners get out of jail and return to our communities, I have made it a priority to develop programs designed to reduce recidivism and to better prepare ex-offenders for a lawful life after custody. In our jails we have drug treatment programs, life skill classes, alcohol anonymous, anti-violence counselling, narcotics anonymous, work skill classes, computer training, parenting classes and other programs geared toward preparing prisoners for life on the outside.

This year our department was granted the right to start the nation's first Charter High School in a county jail. We have introduced a wide variety of classes which can lead to a high school degree and which will be integrated with our other programs which address the other issues that ex-offenders face upon release. We also have a post-release school component so ex-offenders can continue their goal of a high school degree after release.

We are also about to finally make the transition out of the oldest operating jail in California (County Jail No. 3, which is sometimes referred to as The San Bruno Jail). This old jail has been ruled unconstitutional by the Federal Court. We will be opening a replacement jail next February which will not only meet state and federal standards, but which will also contain classrooms, allowing us to expand our school and treatment programs.

Sheriff's deputies are fully empowered California peace officers and often play a role in assisting the San Francisco Police Department in times of turmoil or when there is a need for additional peace officers on the streets. For example, this Halloween and this New Year's eve, Sheriff's deputies will be working side by side with the Police Department in the planning and operations of a security plan for a safe City at times when tens of thousands of people will be gathering in the streets for celebrations. Sheriff's deputies also provide protection in our courts, at City Hall, in San Francisco General Hospital, in Laguna Honga Hospital and in a number of other City buildings.

The San Francisco Sheriff's Department has an amazing number of talented and professional staff, including over 850 deputy sheriffs and almost 200 non-sworn employees. We have the most racially diverse staff of any law enforcement agency and a higher percentage of women officers than any other sheriff's or police departments. We were the first law enforcement agency to publicly recruit, hire and promote gay and lesbian officers. It is my goal to continue to maintain a diverse, educated and professional staff.

It has been my great honor to serve as San Francisco's Sheriff and I would appreciate your support - and your vote - to continue with our innovations in law enforcement.