Amended 9/29/05
LAW ENFORCEMENT
September 15, 2005
Minutes
Members Present: Debbie DeLeon, Deb Nolan, Dale Copedge, Marc Thomas, Randy Schafer, Don Vickers and Board Chairperson Mark Grebner
Members Absent: None
Others Present: John Neilsen, Matthew Myers and Steve Dougan
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson DeLeon at 6:08 p.m. in the Personnel
Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the August 11 and August 25, 2005 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. COPEDGE, SUPPORTED BY COMM. VICKERS, TO APPROVE THE AUGUST 11 AND THE AUGUST 25, 2005 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Additions to the Agenda: None
Limited Public Comment: None
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. VICKERS, TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
1. Sheriff’s Office – Resolution for the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office to Accept the FY2005 LLEBG/Byrne Annual Projects Grant
2. Emergency Operations Center – Resolution to Approve the Revised Final Michigan Department of State Police, Emergency Management Division 2004 State Homeland Security Grant/Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program Grant Budget and Related Subcontracts
3. Tri-County Metro Narcotics Squad – Furniture Request
4. Controller’s Office
b. Jail Overcrowding Issue – Resolution Supporting the Continued Efforts of the Jail Utilization Coordinating Committee to Improve Jail Utilization and to Alleviate Jail Overcrowding at the Ingham County Jail
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. VICKERS, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
5. Board Referrals
a. Letter from the Ingham County Road Commission Regarding the Purchase of Three Used Radio Units
b. Letter from the Village of Stockbridge Regarding Continued Policing Service from Ingham County While the Village is Establishing its Own Department
c. Ingham County E911 Technical Surcharge Pool Financial Statements December 31, 2004 and 2003
The Committee held a brief discussion regarding the Board Referrals and then they were placed on file.
The Committee Recessed at 6:22 p.m.
Chairperson DeLeon called the Law Enforcement meeting back to order at 7:01 p.m. for a joint meeting with the Judiciary Committee to discuss:
4b. Jail Overcrowding Issue – Resolution Supporting the Continued Efforts of the Jail Utilization Coordinating Committee to Improve Jail Utilization and to Alleviate Jail Overcrowding at the Ingham County Jail
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. COPEDGE, TO RECONSIDER THE VOTE ON AGENDA ITEM 4B. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Mr. Neilsen distributed additional information to the Committee regarding this item. The first document contained the County Jail Capacity Report – Michigan Counties: Population 100,000 – 500,000; and the second document was the Community Corrections Resource Management Jail Utilization – Monthly Update: August 31, 2005.
Mr. Neilsen stated the issue of Jail Overcrowding was on the Law Enforcement and Judiciary Committees’ agendas at their April 14, 2005 meetings. At that meeting, the composition and the functions of the Jail Utilization Coordinating Committee (JUCC), their recommendations, and an overview of the Board’s Long Term Objective – Stated Area of Priority Emphasis – Encouraging Use of Appropriate Sanctions & Placements for Adults.
There was a consensus, at that time, to maintain the local capacity of the Jail as is. Mr. Neilsen further stated there are 655 total beds. The County contracts for 193 and it has 472 for local use. It would cost approximately $13,000 for every bed we convert from a contract to local use.
The Law Enforcement Committee held a special meeting on August 25, 2005 to further discuss the issue of road patrol. At that meeting, Mr. Wriggelsworth and Mr. Myers asked that this Committee look at the Jail Overcrowding issue once again.
Ms. Sabaj, CCAB, stated a Jail Overcrowding Sub Committee was in force to handle this issue prior to the development of the JUCC. The Sub Committee made a number of recommendations during their existence.
Ms. Sabaj reviewed the JUCC’s Recommendations, dated September 2005. The 54-A and the 55th District Court JUCC representatives agreed to take the concept of earning early release credits for participation in the CATS program and for progress toward a GED, back to their Courts for discussion. At the July 2005 JUCC meeting, 54-A reported that this concept was discussed by the Judges; and that while some reservations were expressed, no decision has been made. The Court reported the matter would be discussed further on an upcoming agenda for further discussion.
Community Corrections was working with the Circuit Court to obtain grant funds through the FY2005-2006 Community Corrections Comprehensive Plan and Funding Application for a full-time position to complete assessments and provide pre-arraignment bond reports for 54-A District Court felony charged defendants. The grant request would also include a request for funds to cover the cost of the assessments, staff training and required equipment. The Office of Community Corrections has advised that a final budget for the Office has not yet been determined. Planning continues to be based on continuation funding which would mean that no new funding would be available for this position.
Regular meetings are being held with County probation staff to facilitate information sharing and discussion regarding strategies to reduce jail utilization. Ms. Sabaj stated that it has been agreed by those attending the meetings that the meetings should continue.
(Comm. Weatherwax-Grant arrived at 7:12 p.m.)
Community Corrections has plans to increase training and education efforts for the Criminal Defense Attorneys. At the upcoming September meeting, the CCAB will discuss 2006 training education activities.
Implementation of the Friend of the Court JASP concept is currently being pursued by a cooperative arrangement between 55th District Court and the FOC. 54-A has agreed to work with Community Corrections to develop a plan that can be proposed to the 54-A Judges and then to the City of Lansing.
The number of FOC Jail Alternative Sentencing Program slots and work sites is being expanded. There are three crews of seven working in the Ingham County Parks. It is anticipated that an additional four to five slots will be added for special summer projects. Ms. Sabaj stated efforts will be made to encourage the City of Lansing to find further slots and work sites. Chairperson DeLeon stated she would encourage the JUCC members to jump start the FOC/JASP meetings.
Comm. Schafer expressed his concern that he thought more judges would be represented on the JUCC. Ms. Sabaj explained that the JUCC meetings are open meetings. People other than JUCC representatives have been attending the meetings. Interested parties are encouraged to attend these meetings. She further stated meeting notes are distributed to the appropriate departments and courts through the JUCC representatives.
Ms. Sabaj stated the JUCC has accomplished many things. There are complex issues associated with jail overcrowding. It is also very difficult to determine JUCC meeting dates which would meet all the representatives’ schedules. All the representatives have been very diligent in their participation at these meetings.
Comm. Thomas stated the Judges (language deleted) must understand that they are a part of the overcrowding solution.
Comm. Dougan asked if other comparable counties are experiencing the same overcrowding concerns. Mr. Myers stated there clearly are several counties in the same situation. Some smaller counties have built larger jails; however, those beds are always filled. To truly track the jail population, inmates must be monitored all the way through the corrections system. Mr. Neilsen stated the Detroit Free Press article which was included in the late information addresses the state-wide problem with jail overcrowding.
Ms. Sabaj stated some counties are experiencing more of a difficult time with jail overcrowding due to a lack of collaboration.
Chairperson DeLeon asked if there are repeat offenders who have participated in the re-entry program. Ms. Sabaj stated there are repeat offenders. Efforts are being made to provide wrap-around services for the re-entry participants. She further stated there will always be some repeat offenders.
Judge Collette stated he attended tonight’s meeting to listen to the discussion on the overcrowding issue. He further stated the Court has adopted a number of regulations and rules to reduce inmates’ stays in the Jail. The rules and regulations have been adopted by the appropriate parties. Judge Collette stated the Court is simply running out of options. Laws have been enacted which makes it difficult for the Court to reduce the length of stay in the Jail. A new jail is not the answer to the overcrowding problem. More Jail alternatives need to be found.
Judge Collette explained that he believes the Ingham County Jail should follow the model used by the new Jackson County facility. This is one of the few options left to our County. There is a desperate need for alternatives which fit within the Court’s budget. Judges do make every effort to find alternatives to jail.
Comm. Schafer stated it is very important that there are open lines of communication to the Court. Also, the actual problems which lead to the overcrowding problem should be identified.
Chairperson Grebner stated the County gets stuck with people who aren’t sentenced to prison due to sentencing laws. Ms. Sabaj’s and the JUCC’s job is to create alternatives and to let people know that those alternatives exist. Chairperson Grebner then stated there is a wide difference between the judges’ use of the jail. There are similar difficulties at the District Court level.
Chairperson Grebner further stated he has reviewed print outs of the Jail bed usage by Judge. The print outs show a big difference between the Judges and their uses of the Jail. It is not the job of the Board of Commissioners to talk with the Judges about this problem. He has talked with Judge Collette about considering the overcrowding problem on a per Judge basis.
Mr. Neilsen stated the Law Enforcement Committee approved this Resolution earlier this evening. The Judiciary Committee will consider the same Resolution tonight.
Judge Collette stated Chairperson Grebner should consider the people who are in jail waiting to be sentenced on murder, CSC, etc. He also stated assigning a number of beds per Judge would be very complex. The Judges are very willing to consider other alternatives to jail. Judge Collette further stated he has sent a letter to the judges to remind them that the entire bench should work within its budget.
Chairperson Grebner stated his proposal to assign jail beds on a per judge basis would be done on a moving average over time. The Committee continued this discussion. Judge Collette stated the jail has not had as many overcrowding situations within the past few months. Chairperson DeLeon stated the jail has had more overcrowding releases this year than in the past year. Mr. Myers stated the Judges don’t want to let some people out of jail for very good reasons. Some Judges take more time to consider who should be let out.
Comm. Vickers asked Judge Collette for his thoughts regarding the new Jackson County facility. Judge Collette stated Jackson County has built a 250 bed dormitory-style facility which is manned by five guards. The per-inmate cost to be housed in this facility is less than the cost to be housed in the Ingham County Jail. Ingham County should explore this concept.
Comm. Schafer stated stress needs to be taken off the Jail. We should start to identify the State statutes which help to create the overcrowding situations. Chairperson Grebner suggested that sentencing guidelines should also be reviewed. Comm. Weatherwax-Grant stated the Committee would be remiss to have further discussions without also considering diversion options. Alternative programs for at-risk youth are needed to meet the specific needs of those youth without placing them in jail.
Mr. Myers stated he understands that some new statutes have affected the number of inmates in the jail. Determinations may need to be made that specific crimes do not go into the jail. Ordinance violators and FOC cases could be handled differently than placing them in jail. Chairperson Grebner explained the larger over-crowding problem is that some types of inmates cannot be placed with other inmates.
Chairpersons DeLeon and Holman stated the consensus of their Committees is to have staff identify areas which need further concentration.
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. COPEDGE, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE CONTINUED EFFORTS OF THE JAIL UTILIZATION COORDINATING COMMITTEE TO IMPROVE JAIL UTILIZATION AND TO ALLEVIATE JAIL OVERCROWDING AT THE INGHAM COUNTY JAIL AS AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board also supports consideration of a Jail Bed Allocation Policy (language deleted) to help alleviate jail overcrowding.
Add:
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that County Staff will work closely with the Courts, the JUCC and the MAC regarding legislative changes which impact the Ingham County Jail.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Announcements: None
Public Comment: None
The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff
a. Update on “Resolution Authorizing the County Clerk to File a Notice of Intent to Function as a PSAP within the Clinton County 911 Service District” Resolution #05-201