Feb. 15, 2019
Board President Richard Valle
Alameda County Board of Supervisors
County of Alameda Administration Building
1221 Oak Street #536
Oakland, CA 94612
Dear Board President Richard Valle and Honorable Board of Supervisors,
Over the last decade, California has stood out as a progressive leader in criminal justice reform. With
legislative work still on the horizon, Californians have already approved major initiatives that have
drastically reduced incarcerated populations across our state prisons and county jails. Such significant
reforms include the passage of both Propositions 47 and 57. These types of reforms have not only sought
to reduce jail populations, but also to enhance transparency and accountability, as well as to build trust
and promote community safety by providing counties with valuable taxpayer savings that can be
reinvested into crucial rehabilitative programs and resources.
I write now because I’m concerned about troubling reports that have emerged surrounding the Alameda
County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO). These concerns range from allegations of abuse to an expanding ACSO
budget. Alameda County residents deserve full transparency and accountability, and I fully support
community members in their request for an independent financial and performance audit of the ACSO. I
respectfully urge you to do so as well.
The Alameda County jail population has decreased significantly in recent years, yet Sheriff Gregory
Ahern’s budget has grown by $144 million in the past decade, reaching a cumulative amount of $443
million this year1. In its fiscal oversight role, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors has an important

1

County of Alameda FINAL BUDGET 2018-2019
http://acgov.org/MS/OpenBudget/pdf/FY18-19/FY%202018-19%20Final%20Budget%20Book-Web%20VersionFinal.pdf

 responsibility to ensure that the ASCO is spending public funds wisely, particularly in the wake of several
in-custody deaths and costly lawsuits2, along with allegations of abuse and mistreatment of women.
In the last five years, ASCO has experienced 33 in-custody deaths3. In June, two in-custody deaths
occurred in Santa Rita Jail within the span of just three days, including one mentally ill inmate who died
from drinking too much water.
In addition, there was the tragic death of Jessica St. Louis, a 26-year-old mother who was found dead at a
BART station. She died just hours after being released late at night from Santa Rita Jail. In response to
the systematic failures that lead to Jessica’s death, I worked closely with community members to
introduce legislation to end late-night release for women across the state.
Since 2014, 29 women have come forward with civil suits against ACSO, alleging abuse and
mistreatment. This includes a pregnant mother who was forced to give birth alone in a dirty cell while
guards ignored her screams4. We can no longer excuse such conduct as an isolated incident. A strong
performance audit will generate crucial evaluative data that can thoroughly assess all current practices and
policies while provide lifesaving recommendations for implementation. I am committed to supporting you
in implementing this very important initiative.
Sincerely,

Nancy Skinner
Senator, 9th Senate District

2

Morris, Scott. “Alameda County Leads Region in Civil Rights Payouts” East Bay Express. July 11, 2018.
https://www.eastbayexpress.com/oakland/alameda-county-leads-region-in-civil-rights-payouts/Content?oid=17991968
3

Bernal, Jose. “Opinion: Audit Actions of Alameda County Sheriff’s Office”. The Mercury News. January 15, 2019.
https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/01/15/opinion-audit-actions-of-alameda-county-sheriffs-office/
4

Fernandez, Lisa & Nguyen, Candice. “Woman sue Santa Rita oveer humiliating treatment; sheriff says facility is ‘best big jail in
nation’” Fox KTVU News. November 14th, 2018. http://www.ktvu.com/news/women-sue-alameda-county-jail-overhumiliating-treatment-sheriff-says-facility-is-best-in-nation