Agenda - 03-24-2003 - 8g - Laserfiche WebLink

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M CJPP Community Corrections Plan Application for Continuation of Implementation Funds (See reverse for detailed instructions) 1. Executive summary, continued. Use separate sheets in place of this form, if necessary. Pre -Trial Release Program of Orange and Chatham Counties The Orange- Chatham C, ?P Advisory Board established a pre -trial release program in FY 199-7-96 with the initial funding received from the Department of Correction. This program is provided through contractual arrangements with Orange- Chatham Alternative Sentencing, Inc.. a local non- profit agency. V During FY 1997 -98, the third year of operation, the Pre -Triai Release Program increased the links of facilitating information through. the 15 -B judicial district. Recognition and familiarity kith program services by criminal justice partners, such as the staff of the District Attornev's. Office and Magistrates. increased significantly. A major focus for the year was troubleshooting and refining the process for listing the inmates being only held in the Orange County jail for misdemeanor offenses. Releases also increased in the Chatham County jail. Pre -Trial Release Services moves inmate - related data expeditiously through the criminal justice= system. As a result, the program facilitates criminal justice processes, inmate release, the well being of inmates and the overall jail population. Examples of such services include: • securing the paycheck of an inmate from an employer so that the inmate might post bond; • checking the courthouse records to ascertain whether. a court case was disposed of and discovering that a warrant was mistakenly listed as outstanding which resulted in an inmate being mistakenly jailed; • calling the Office of the Public Offender to inquire about the arrangement of bond hearings; • as an officer of the court, reporting requested information to the judges; and • offering therapeutic interactions to inmates struggling with adjustments to inmate life or needing referrals to rehabilitation resources. The daily flow of incoming inmates dictates the particular tasks required of the program evaluator. Addressing these special needs is in addition to conducting the daily standard scre 'Zing and interviewing. Because this is the only service of its kind serving the county jails, the pre -trial release program makes a significant impact on the criminal justice system. The professional and expeditious nature of the work accomplished also adds to the success of this program.