Tracy Neal outlines community corrections efforts in Shasta County meeting

The Shasta County Board of Supervisors held a special meeting on March 24, 2025, focusing on the Community Correction Partnership (CCP) and its role in enhancing public safety. The meeting featured a presentation by Tracy Neal, the chair of the CCP, who provided an overview of the partnership's history, structure, and ongoing initiatives.

Neal began by explaining the establishment of the CCP in February 2009, following the passage of the Community Correction Performance Incentive Act, known as Senate Bill 678. This legislation aimed to strengthen community corrections and established a group of 14 members, including key figures such as the sheriff, district attorney, public defender, and representatives from various county departments and community organizations.

The CCP's responsibilities expanded with the implementation of Assembly Bill 109 in 2011, which realigned certain responsibilities from state to local jurisdictions. This legislation designated the CCP as the oversight entity for local community corrections, enhancing collaboration among public safety departments.

Neal highlighted the evolution of the CCP, noting changes in membership over the years, including the appointment of new sheriffs and district attorneys. The partnership has adapted its strategies to address public safety needs, focusing on offender rehabilitation and community safety.

The CCP meets regularly to discuss its goals and strategies, although the frequency of meetings has decreased from monthly to approximately six to eight times a year. Neal emphasized the importance of the CCP's community correction plan, which outlines strategic objectives and has been updated periodically since its initial approval in 2011.

In addition to its planning efforts, the CCP publishes an annual report detailing the use of realignment funds and outcomes related to public safety initiatives. Neal concluded by mentioning recent discussions within the CCP regarding future strategies and the need to revisit and update the community correction plan.

The meeting underscored the collaborative efforts of Shasta County's public safety leaders to address community safety challenges and the ongoing commitment to improving rehabilitation services for offenders. The next steps for the CCP include further discussions on strategic goals and potential updates to their community correction plan.