Agenda - 09-17-2013 - 5a - Laserfiche WebLink

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6 1 outlines a proposed scope of services to evaluate current alternatives to incarceration 2 programs. 3 Michael Talbert said that Steve Allan, consultant from Solutions for Local Government, 4 intends to track and retrieve data and program information for three years. He will interview key 5 players, including district court judges, senior superior court judges, district attorneys, public 6 defenders and others. Michael Talbert hopes the end result will be a comprehensive report that 7 outlines the services provided, as well as the impact in the community and in the jail population. 8 Michael Talbert said that the purpose for tonight is discussion and feedback. He said 9 that if the Board chooses to proceed in this direction, Steve Allan can begin during the summer 10 and will have results back by October. 11 Frank Clifton said this is an important step in maximizing alternatives to jail space, and 12 to begin the process of jail planning and design. He said Steve Allan has been involved in jail 13 planning and other studies of this nature; so his input will be valuable in adjusting plans prior to 14 bringing on an architectural design team. 15 Commissioner Pelissier asked if there will be any consideration of other programs that 16 currently do not exist but are allowable under current legislation. 17 Steve Allan said this will typically come up as he goes through the process. He said that 18 different terminology is used by different areas. He gave examples, such as house arrest and 19 anklet use, as well as work release. He said this will be looked at, and he offered to add a 20 bullet of additional programs to be suggested. He feels that the current programs are likely 21 sufficient for the current jail population. . 22 Commissioner Pelissier asked if there are places, such as School of Government, that 23 might have ideas for program enhancement. She would like to fully explore all possibilities to 24 reduce incarceration. 25 Steve Allan said the jail population will dictate what can be done in any given place. He 26 said there is a point where only a certain number of people can be released. He said he will 27 include a section in his report to identify any new ideas that might be given. 28 Commissioner Dorosin said he is looking at the scope of services and he questions the 29 need for an outside consultant. He believes the assessment phase would be collecting data 30 that is routinely collected now by staff. He asked why this data cannot be used and said this is 31 a concern for him. He said another concern is how this report is going to affect the County 32 building a new jail. He said these program alternatives are good, but he does not see the 33 connection. 34 Frank Clifton said the issues are that many people involved in this proposal are state 35 elected employees with individual perspectives on how things should be done; however in 36 almost every case the county has to assume responsibility for the expense. He said that when 37 you tie that with the County's responsibility of providing jail space, and the consideration of a 38 changing environment, it is problematic. He said there are elements of information from the 39 court staff that are not in agreement with the County staff perspective, and there is need for an 40 outside opinion. He said that there are 100 counties in the state and many different 41 approaches. 42 Frank Clifton said the numbers for the jail are based on a general total population 43 estimate that allows for growth. He said one element could be a phase development for the jail 44 that involves the addition of pods over time to increase size as needed. He said that there must 45 be some space, other than the pods, incorporated in the initial phase for programming and 46 activities. 47 Frank Clifton said there are a large number of different elements, and the County staff 48 members are not experts on the criminal justice system. He said it is best to have a broader 49 view and to have someone like Steve Allan with experience in this area.