Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Kenneth Binder, Sheriff
Subject: Agreement between the County of San Mateo Sheriff’s Office and Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center for Programming in the adult Correctional Facilities
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing and directing the President of the Board of Supervisors to execute an agreement between the County of San Mateo Sheriff’s Office and Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center for the teaching of conflict transformation and anger management classes at the County’s adult correctional facilities, for the term of November 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029, in an amount not to exceed $405,625.
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BACKGROUND:
The Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center (PCRC) teaches Conflict Transformation and Anger Management (the “Program”) to incarcerated persons in the County’s adult correctional facilities. The Program consists of 10 modules focusing on understanding conflict styles, de-escalating and diffusing anger, effective listening, and other topics in conflict resolution. The Program is designed to increase the participants’ ability to make conscious, positive changes and choices during their incarceration and upon release. In addition, PCRC offers Restorative Justice seminars that teach the key principles of restorative justice and facilitate active dialogue with participants.
DISCUSSION:
In the Spring of 2026, the Sheriff’s Office facilitated a Request for Proposal process for jail programming and selected PCRC to continue providing the Program, which PCRC has provided since 2017. PCRC combines theory, discussion, and practice-based exercises rooted in conflict resolution practices to build effective communication skills. The curriculum incorporates cultural humility, self-awareness, empathy, and the power of healing harm. The Program is taught in both English and Spanish.
Staff recommends entering into an agreement with PRCR to provide the Program at the County’s adult correction facilities in an amount not to exceed $405,625 for the term of November 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
Contract Year 11/01/25-10/31/26 (to date) |
FY 2026-29 Target (per year) |
|
Number of inmates enrolled in the Conflict Transformation series (includes multiple enrollments) |
210 |
250 |
|
Percent of inmates who “Agree or Strongly Agree” with the statement: “I have learned new skills on how to de-escalate conflict” |
96% |
90% |
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
The justice-involved population enrolled in the Program learns key principles of conflict resolution, including de-escalation, different conflict styles, and understanding the difference between impact versus intent and the role they play in communication and conflict. In addition, students practice how to effectively listen and communicate while taking responsibility for their emotions, identify their triggers and hooks, and build self-awareness.
Overarching these key principles is discussion of one’s values and respect for others. Incarcerated persons benefit from this curriculum if it is their first exposure to the subject, or by enhancing the skills they already have developed. Individuals can also take part in Restorative Justice seminars, exploring the importance of taking accountability for past harms, understanding the importance of building/rebuilding and sustaining community, and the role that each person plays in restorative justice scenarios. Engagement in the Program can increase their ability to make conscious, positive changes upon reentry into the community.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the Agreement is from November 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029, for an amount not to exceed $405,625. There is no Net County Cost associated with this agreement, as the funding is entirely funded by AB109 Public Safety Realignment Funds.