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12 <br />NCACC Justice and Public Safety Policy Statement <br />The Association recognizes that the state and counties are partners in the operation of the criminal <br />justice system and will support policies and laws that contribute to this partnership being an equitable <br />one. <br />County jails should be reserved exclusively for pre-trial detainees, and adjudication should be swift in <br />order to minimize overcrowding in county jails. Bonds should be reasonable, and effective pre-trial <br />screening and population management efforts should be encouraged. Criminals should pay a greater <br />portion of the cost incurred by the counties and the state as a result of their crimes through increased <br />jail fees, service of process fees, and court facilities fees. <br />The statewide judicial system should be adequately funded and staffed in order to provide an efficient <br />environment for judicial process and to instill public confidence in the justice system. <br />Justice and Public Safety Legislative Proposals <br />Priority Goals as Determined by NCACC Board of Directors <br />1. Protect county jail system <br />o Seek legislation to protect the fiscal viability of the county jail system by reinstating the <br />reimbursement rate for state inmates housed in county jails and increasing the <br />reimbursement rate for state inmates awaiting post-trial prison transfer. <br />o Oppose legislation to increase time counties are mandated to house state <br />misdemeanants. <br />2. Improve inmate medical care cost containment -Seek legislation that would authorize medical <br />care providers to charge the state and counties no more than the rates set in the Medicaid or <br />Medicare schedule of charges for inmate medical care. <br />3. Maintain funding for gang prevention and adolescent substance abuse prevention, <br />intervention and treatment programs. <br />Other Goals <br />Allow court facility fee flexibility -Seek legislation to allow counties to collect additional fees to <br />support specialty courts and help fund capital, operational and other needs associated with increasing <br />demands on our judicial system. <br />Authorize inmate electronic monitoring cost reimbursement -Seek legislation to authorize counties to <br />seek reimbursement from defendants for electronic monitoring, based on ability to pay. <br />