Agenda - 01-20-1998 - 10c - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Action Agenda Item No. ID-~ ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: January 20, 1998 SUBJECT: Report; Justice Facilities Study Group Follow up DEPARTMENT: PURCHASING AND Public Hearing: No CENTRAL SERVICES Budget Amendment Reqd? No H I I AC:hiMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: PAM JONES, ext. 2650 Telephone Number- Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 967-9251 Mebane 227-2031 Durham 688-7331 PURPOSE: To receive information regarding the Justice Facility Study Group and to provide comment to staff regarding the next steps desired by the Board. BACKGROUND: In early 1995, the Commissioners appointed a study group to explore future development of Justice Facilities in the County. The group met for approximately six months and a report reflecting their work and recommendations was received by the Board in December, 1995. In an effort to determine the impact of the additions to the Jail and Courthouse and how they might affect the recommendations presented in the report, no further action has been pursued. Both the Jail and Courthouse additions have now been completed, although the final Jail inspection was only completed by the State within the past week. While the impact of the Jail addition is inconclusive at this point, the impact of the additional courtroom is very favorable. Judges Battle and Buckner have collaborated to initiate a scheduling system for courtrooms that adds flexibility to their use. The District Court, who was regularly shut down by the Fire Marshal for overcrowding the courtroom, has had no such occurrence since the new courtroom was brought on line in July, 1997. Although the additional courtroom has provided much needed relief and the additional 58 beds in the Jail will reduce the overcrowded conditions for some period of time, neither of these projects were meant to be long term solutions. With the constant increase in court case load and the corresponding staff increases necessary to address the heavier load, the positive effects of the two additions are likely to be short-lived.