Mayor Mark Farrell today announced that his two-year budget will include more than $7 million in criminal justice reforms, including investments in pretrial release programs and police oversight measures.

"Criminal justice reform is vital to ensuring that everyone in San Francisco is treated equally,” said Mayor Farrell. “My budget reflects our dedication to a fair and equitable criminal justice system.”

The Mayor’s budget includes $1.2 million to continue pilot programs that offer pretrial alternatives to jail, further reducing the population at county jails, which are seismically unsafe and do not meet current health and safety standards. The investments will support the Office of the Public Defender’s Pretrial Release Unit, which offers pre-arraignment representation to defendants, similar to services offered by defendants with private attorneys.

The funding will also support the City’s weekend rebooking pilot program managed by the District Attorney’s Office. Weekend rebooking allows the District Attorney to make charging decisions swiftly, ensuring that no one spends time in jail unnecessarily.

In addition, the Mayor’s budget includes $2 million to end onerous local criminal justice administrative fees for defendants. It also includes $2.4 million to support the Pretrial Diversion Project, a nonprofit agency contracted by the Sheriff’s Department to oversee the City’s supervised release services.

“I am pleased the Mayor made a significant investment to support the Sheriff’s Pretrial Diversion Project,” said San Francisco Superior Court Presiding Judge Teri Jackson. "This investment will ensure public safety by increasing the likelihood defendants will return to court while offering pretrial supervision options that are less restrictive than incarceration.”

The package of criminal justice reform efforts features $1.5 million to expand police oversight measures at the Department of Police Accountability (DPA). The DPA investigates all officer-involved shootings, and with the new funding, the department will be able to hire an additional four employees and expand its administrative functions, which include performing biennial audits on the San Francisco Police Department.

“Civilian oversight is meant to address community concerns about officer misconduct and when it works well, it can help hold police accountable and increase trust with local residents,” said Paul Henderson, Executive Director of the Department of Police Accountability. “This increased funding will provide DPA with the appropriate resources to investigate our most serious cases, analyze data collected from the police department and actively promote inclusive reforms to ensure that San Francisco is a city where no community fears law enforcement.”

During the next two years, the Mayor will provide $300,000 in funding for the City’s Street Violence Response Team, which provides services and support to communities affected by violent incidents. The team focuses its efforts on minimizing incarceration and maximizing effective intervention and support strategies while building community trust, especially for youth at highest risk of violence.

“The Street Violence Response Team works diligently to help quell and prevent violence, particularly violence affecting San Francisco youth,” said San Francisco Police Chief William Scott. “SVRT members perform invaluable work to engage and assist our City’s communities during times of crisis and promote peace in our neighborhoods.”