Minutes 09-01-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Recommendation #5 • Create an interdisciplinary advisory board to provide policy guidance, set priorities, and establish performance goals. o Jail Alternatives Work Group to review potential scope, composition, and structures Recommendation #6 • Develop performance measures to promote accountability and monitor performance. • Survey will be designed to identify stakeholder goals and desired program outcomes • Measures may be both quantitative and qualitative Recommendation #7 • Plan space in the new jail facility to allow for risk assessment, screening, and intervention planning. o Space should be secure but offer a sense of privacy Next Steps • Action by Board of Orange County Commissioners • Formally receive the report • Authorize staff to implement the recommendations • Convene interview team for Criminal Justice Resource Manager • Stakeholder Representatives • Week of September 14 • Jail Alternatives Work Group o Discuss scope and composition of an advisory board The Memorandum Regarding Organizational Placement of Jail Alternative Programs is the culmination of additional stakeholder outreach, consideration, and research. The Memorandum contains the following key findings: • The Pretrial Services and Drug Court Programs are currently contracted out to two different vendors. • The Programs represent a significant investment by the County in alternatives to incarceration and are viewed as important tools to help reduce population pressure in the jail, failures to appear in court, and recidivism. • Supporters of the current Pretrial Services model endorse the independence of the program, adherence to best practices, efficiency, and long standing relationships with treatment providers and program participants. • Stakeholders generally agree, however, that the programs would benefit from internalization. An internalized model could improve stability and a sense of permanency, increase accountability by focusing on day to day service delivery, foster greater collaboration with other County services like mental health and employment, provide access to needed information technology resources, and improve the functionality of office space. • Stakeholders who have the responsibility of defending the accused generally oppose organizationally aligning the Pretrial program with the Sheriff's Office. These stakeholders note concerns about the perceived independence of the program and the treatment of information by employees of the Sheriff's Office. These concerns may limit referrals and participation in the program. • Stakeholders expressed less concern about the organizational placement of the Drug Court Program but recognize the need for collaboration.