Amended 11/2/06
LAW ENFORCEMENT
October 12, 2006
Minutes
Members Present: Deb Nolan, Dale Copedge, Debbie DeLeon, Marc Thomas, Randy Schafer, Don Vickers and Board Chairperson Victor Celentino
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Jared Cypher, Mary Sabaj, James Webster, Judge Collette and Matthew Myers
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Nolan at 6:05 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the September 28, 2006 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DELEON, TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 28 MINUTES as amended.
The Minutes were amended on page two, item 5, second paragraph to reflect: Comm. Copedge stated the Jail should investigate additional ethnic products.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Chairperson Nolan informed the Committee that Mr. Neilsen would not be present this evening due to a personal matter.
Additions to the Agenda: None
Limited Public Comment: None
1. 911 Advisory Committee and Mike Leaf, Project Manager – Resolution Authorizing the Public Safety Radio System Acceptance from M/A-COM, Inc., Initiation of System Warranty Period, and Entering into a Software FX Agreement
MOVED BY COMM. THOMAS, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHAFER, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PUBLIC SAFETY RADIO SYSTEM ACCEPTANCE FROM M/A-COM, INC., INITITIATION OF SYSTEM WARRNTY PERIOD, AND ENTERING INTO A SOFTWARE FX AGREEMENT. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. Sheriff’s Office
a. Resolution Authorizing the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office to Accept Historical Ingham County Sheriff’s Office Constable Badge for Display in the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office
MOVED BY COMM. THOMAS, SUPPORTED BY COMM. COPEDGE, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE INGHAM COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE TO ACCEPT HISTORICAL INGHAM COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE CONSTABLE BADGE FOR DISPLAY IN THE INGHAM COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE.
Chairperson Nolan stated she thought Mr. Leaf would be present this evening. Mr. Cypher informed the Committee that Mr. Leaf is out of the state. Chairperson Nolan stated she would like clarification regarding Mr. Leaf’s statement in his letter that “The system is deemed accepted by me with the exception of the following punch list items: . . .” Mr. Cypher stated he could speak with Mr. Leaf tomorrow regarding Chairperson Nolan’s request.
Comm. DeLeon stated her understanding that the County needs to complete the system due to the warranty start date.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
b. Discussion Item – Inmate Commissary Contract
Mr. Myers stated the Jail has provided commissary services for approximately 12 years. The contract with Swanson Commissary had been generally positive for the inmates and the County. The Sheriff’s Office and the Purchasing Department evaluated three proposals from a 2000 RFP process. Canteen was selected at that time. The contract period is March 1, 2001 through February 28, 2007. The Board of Commissioners approved this contract.
The list of provided products, contained in the agenda packet, is a working document. If a specific item does not receive an adequate number of requests from the inmates, that product will not be offered. The Jail has not received any complaints from the inmates regarding the commissary services. If a complaint is received, the Jail will notify the vendor.
Comm. Copedge asked if one vendor provides all the commissary items. Mr. Myers stated the Jail only contracts with one vendor. He then explained how having more than one vendor could complicate the process. Mr. Myers explained that inmates complete a check list of items they would like, the Office determines if the inmate has sufficient funds in his account, and if so, the items are ordered.
Comm. Copedge explained that when he received the initial response from Mr. Neilsen regarding his vendor questions, he was not able to open his email. He could not open other emails he received during the same type period.
Mr. Myers stated if the Commissioners learn that inmates want specific products, they should notify him.
Comm. Vickers asked if there are any thefts of the commissary items. Mr. Myers stated inmates stealing commissary products from other inmates is a daily occurrence.
c. Discussion Item – Update on Michigan Department of Corrections Contract
Mr. Myers informed the Committee that the Sheriff’s Office was successful in obtaining 30 additional beds from the MDOC. The intended mix of local and rental beds at the County Jail has been restored. The mix is:
472 local beds
160 current MDOC contract
30 new MDOC contract amendment
3 State MDOC state parole violators
Total: 665
The Sheriff’s Office has fulfilled the requirements of Resolution #06-114; therefore, it will hire the three remaining Correctional Officers which will bring them to their full allocated staffing level.
Mr. Myers stated, in response to Comm. Schafer, that Washtenaw County had six or seven inmates at the Ingham County Jail as of last month. Comm. Schafer expressed his appreciation to Mr. Myers for following up on the Washtenaw County matter.
Mr. Myers stated the 472 beds for local use is not sufficient most times. He then laid out options for dealing with the situation.
Mr. Myers stated his biggest fear is that the Federal government will take over the Jail due to its constant over-crowding problem if the County does not take some form of action. Jail staff and the inmates are miserable during the over-crowding times. Officers are paid over-time during over-crowded periods. During this time, beds are placed in the gym. This is not the most secure was to house inmates.
Chairperson Nolan asked Mr. Myers for his preference for dealing with the over-crowding issue. Mr. Myers stated he doesn’t have a preference. He further stated he recognizes the County receives $2.5 million in revenue from the Jail. The bed usage needs to be 665. A number of Judges have done a very good job with providing alternatives to incarceration. The CCAB also works on alternatives to sentencing.
Chairperson Nolan asked what the top five ordinance violations are. Mr. Myers stated he did not know that information. Ordinance violations are not major crimes. They are usually public disturbance, trespass, sleeping under ramps, etc. Kent County charges Grand Rapids approximately $45 per bed to house their ordinance violators.
Comm. DeLeon stated she understands the need to place some ordinance violators in jail. The only tool municipalities have for dealing with repeat violators is to place them in jail.
Judge Collette stated the Jackson Minimum Security facility is remarkable. The facility has five guards and charges approximately $22 per day to house an inmate. Since he visited the facility, he has spoken with a number of Commissioners about the facility. This type of program would save the County money and would provide relief for the Judges and the Sheriff’s Office. Judge Collette applauded Mr. Myers for addressing the over-crowding issue this evening. The County does need to look for alternatives.
Comm. Schafer stated the Jail was built as a minimum and maximum security facility. Mr. Myers stated approximately 85% of the Jail is set up for maximum security. Comm. Schafer also stated over-crowding has been an issue since the early 1980’s.
Chairperson Nolan asked Mr. Myers how he would like to approach the over-crowding issue. Mr. Myers stated the Judges would be a big part of the solution; therefore, they should be included in discussions of this issue. Judge Collette stated he is always willing to discuss the problem. He further stated he is convinced that the County needs a minimum security facility. Low-level offenders should be punished to preserve the quality of life for the County residents.
Chairperson Celentino thanked Mr. Myers for placing this issue on the agenda. This is a major issue that needs to be dealt with in an organized manner to determine options and an action plan. He suggested this Committee consider forming a task force to deal specifically with the Jail over-crowding problem. The task force should include members of this Committee, Judges, the Sheriff’s Office and other interested individuals. Chairperson Celentino stated the goal of the task force would be to submit a recommendation to this Committee.
Chairperson Nolan agreed that a task force or a subcommittee should be developed. The composition of the task force could be determined at a later date. Comm. Schafer recommended this Committee begin to gather information which will be needed for the task force discussions.
Chairperson Nolan stated staff would prepare a Resolution authorizing the implementation of a task force to address over-crowding at the Ingham County Jail. She further stated the representatives from the courts, the CCAB and the Sheriff’s Office will be included in the task force.
Comm. Schafer stated the County needs to consider how to house larger numbers of inmates at a lower cost.
d. Discussion Item – Jail Overcrowding
Comm. Thomas stated Mr. Myers should be credited with the options he laid out in item 2c. Chairperson Nolan stated this Committee discussed the option of allocating beds on a per judge basis in the past. Comm. Thomas stated he agrees with the implementation of a task force. The task force panel could be reflective of this Committee and the 2007 Law Enforcement Committee. He further suggested the Committee set a deadline for receiving the recommendation from the task force.
Comm. DeLeon stated the task force could begin its discussions this year. Chairperson Nolan stated all members of the Law Enforcement Committee would be part of the Task Force. The task force could also consist of Judges, the CCAB, the Sheriff’s Office and the Prosecutor’s Office. Comm. Schafer suggested the task force accept volunteers from people not specifically in law enforcement. Chairperson Nolan suggested a March 30, 2007 deadline for the task force recommendation to be submitted to the Law Enforcement Committee.
Judge Collette suggested the Commissioners might want to visit the Jackson County facility once the November elections are over.
Comm. Schafer stated the task force should begin meeting in December 2006. He also indicated his willingness to serve on the task force. A representative of the City of Lansing should be a member of the task force.
Comm. DeLeon stated she sits on the Mid South Substance Abuse Commission, along with Comm. Copedge. The Commission has been looking at current programs to determine their effectiveness. It is also looking at ways to improve programs when necessary. A program to minimize inmates returning to jail is being explored.
Mr. Myers agreed that a majority of the Jail population has substance abuse problems. The CATS program is more important now than it was in the past. Comm. Copedge stated he has heard that the CATS program is not effective. Ms. Sabaj explained that CATS uses a cognitive approach to therapy.
Judge Collette informed the Committee that Total Health Educational Program has terminated its contract with the MDOC. Chairperson Celentino stated the MDOC has instructed its agencies not to make referrals to Total Health. He further stated there are concerns regarding this program. The County’s contract with Total Health expired October 1, 2006.
Comm. Schafer stated the task force will need a lot of data to consider during its discussions. He then asked who will gather the appropriate data. Ms. Sabaj stated the CCAB can provide data if it also has the cooperation of other departments. Mr. Cypher stated his office can assist with the data gathering process. Ms. Sabaj suggested the County engage the Lansing Police Department in these discussions.
Comm. Vickers stated education and reform programs are needed for the inmates. Ms. Sabaj stated improvements were seen when the Jail Utilization Coordinating Committee implemented various programs. These programs were outlined in the Ingham County/City of Lansing Community Corrections Resource Management Reports – October 12, 2006. This information was distributed to the Committee.
Announcements: None
Public Comment
Mr. Myers informed the Committee that Greg Harless is the new Ingham County Jail Administrator. He further stated he is confident that Mr. Harless will be a major asset to the Sheriff’s Office.
The meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff