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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />0 Py ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: May 14, 2013 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. 2 <br />SUBJECT: Assessment of Jail Alternative Programs <br />DEPARTMENT: County Manager PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) No <br />ATTACHMENTS: <br />A. Orange County District Court <br />House Tour - Court Programs <br />Overview <br />B. Solutions for Local Government <br />Scope of Services — Assessment of <br />Jail Alternative Programs <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Frank Clifton, 919 - 245 -2300 <br />Michael Talbert, 919 - 245 -2308 <br />C <br />PURPOSE: To review and discuss a proposed new County Jail project included in the FY <br />2013 -18 Capital Investment Plan (CIP), and jail alternative programs. <br />BACKGROUND: In October 2012, the NC Council of State authorized issuance of a 50 year <br />land lease to Orange County for approximately 6.8 acres for construction of a Jail facility. The <br />proposed new Jail is included in the County's FY 2013 -18 CIP with an estimated total project <br />cost of $30,250,000. A consultant has been retained to evaluate the site and determine the <br />best configuration of the potential site, along with any constraints (environmental /regulatory for <br />example) that might impact the development. Site related planning costs have been included in <br />the CIP at $250,000 for FY 2013 -14. Construction cost estimates from firms in the business of <br />building detention facilities range from $80,000 to $120,000 per bed. The new jail is intended to <br />house a minimum of 250 prisoners and provide support spaces needed for such a facility. Site <br />design costs are planned for FY 2015 -16, and Architectural /Engineering costs are included in <br />FY 2016 -17, with construction costs in FY 2017 -18. <br />The proposed new Jail project involves the review of jail alternative programs, individual <br />program's effectiveness and impact on the inmate population of the Orange County Jail. At the <br />Board's August 30, 2012 work session, District Court Judge Joseph M. Buckner presented an <br />overview of Court Programs to the Board. Attachment A is the Powerpoint presented by Judge <br />Buckner that outlines Court Programs. <br />The County requested and has received a proposal from Solutions for Local Government, Inc., <br />to assess Jail Alternative Programs in Orange County. Before planning for a new jail begins, a <br />comprehensive assessment of jail alternative programs needs to be completed. Solutions for <br />Local Government, Inc. has experience evaluating alternatives to incarceration related <br />programs and assessing the impact on jail population. Attachment B outlines a proposed scope <br />of services to evaluate current alternatives to incarceration programs. <br />