Approved 4/12/07
LAW ENFORCEMENT
March 29, 2007
Minutes
Members Present: Dale Copedge, Tim Soule, Victor Celentino, Debbie DeLeon,
Randy Schafer, Dianne Holman and Board Chairperson Marc Thomas
Members Absent: None
Others Present: John Neilsen, Stuart Dunnings, Mary Sabaj, Greg Harless, Alan Spyke,
Judy Cates, Alan Platt and others
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Copedge at 5:40 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the March 15, 2007 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. CELENTINO, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SOULE, TO APPROVE THE MARCH 15 MINUTES WITH A TECHNICAL CORRECTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comms. DeLeon and Holman
Additions to the Agenda
2aa. CATS Presentation
Limited Public Comment: None
(Comm. DeLeon arrived at 5:43 p.m. Chairperson Copedge stated Comm. DeLeon is excused for being late.)
1. Prosecuting Attorney’s Office – Resolution to Authorize the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to Accept a Grant from the Department of Human Services for the Juvenile Accountability Grant
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. CELENTINO, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY’S OFFICE TO ACCEPT A GRANT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES FOR THE JUVENILE ACCOUNTABILITY GRANT. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Holman
2. Jail Overcrowding
a. Prosecutor Dunnings – Presentation on State Sentencing Guidelines
Mr. Dunnings conducted a power-point presentation on the State Sentencing Guidelines. He started his presentation with the review of an Ingham County case to illustrate how the Guidelines affected the sentencing in the case.
(Comm. Holman arrived at 6:01 p.m. Chairperson Copedge excused Comm. Holman for being late to the meeting.)
Mr. Dunnings stated the Guidelines make it very difficult for judges to sentence defendants to prison. He further stated the Guidelines also have an effect on jail overcrowding.
Comm. DeLeon commended Mr. Dunnings for communicating the Guidelines information to the communities. Mr. Dunnings stated the communities were appalled at the Guidelines.
Chairperson Thomas asked how the County can assist in getting individuals into the prisons versus the jail, when appropriate. Mr. Dunnings stated this is a legislative problem which will require a legislative solution. Chairperson Copedge stated this Committee could draft a resolution indicating the County’s position on the Guidelines.
Chairperson Copedge thanked Mr. Dunnings for his informative presentation. Comm. DeLeon suggested that Mr. Dunnings and Chairperson Copedge draft an article regarding the Guidelines for the newspaper. Mr. Dunnings stated MAC is drafting such an article for the newspaper.
aa. CATS – Presentation
Information was distributed to the Committee regarding the Substance Abuse Services & Corrections Mental Health Program and Correctional Assessment & Treatment Services (CATS) Program. Mr. Platt reviewed this information. Ms. Cates stated CATS has a strong relationship with the Office of Community Corrections. CATS also provides a continuum of care program which includes aftercare services.
Mr. Platt explained that court ordered participants receive day for day credit while participating in the CATS program (Program).
Chairperson Copedge asked how the Program can impact the Jail population in a positive manner. Ms. Cates explained that jail time is reduced when an inmate participates and/or completes the Program.
Mr. Platt stated the Program is located within the County Jail. He further explained that once inmates are released from the jail, they have the opportunity to enter an aftercare program. CATS treats court ordered participants and also receives referrals from the MDOC. Many inmates have substance abuse problems. Judges do not always order defendants to the CATS program, and, not all eligible inmates want to participate in the program.
Ms. Cates and Mr. Platt addressed additional questions from the Committee. Comm. Schafer stated this Committee could communicate to the Judges its interest in having inmates participate in the CATS program.
Ms. Sabaj stated the JUCC has been working to make participation in the CATS program a required part of an inmate’s sentence, when qualified for the Program. Comm. Schafer stated this Committee should send a communication to the Judges regarding its interest in requiring qualified inmates to participate in the CATS program.
Ms. Kronquist, Assistance Director of Mid-South, stated CATS receives funding from Mid-South on a contractual basis.
Mr. Platt explained there is no restriction on how long an inmate must be incarcerated in the jail to participate in the CATS program. Eight weeks is the average length of time needed to complete the program; however, inmates have participated for shorter lengths of time. Factors such as earned early release make it difficult for many inmates to participate or complete the Program.
Comm. DeLeon asked for the success rates of the inmates once they are released from jail. Ms. Cates explained it is difficult to rate success in this matter. Success is measured in small incremental ways for inmates. She then stated CATS has been in existence for more than 30 years. Comm. DeLeon expressed her concern that inmates are not tracked once they are released from jail and have left the Program. Ms. Cates stated many inmates who have participated in the Program and have been released from jail qualify for the House of Commons. This program knows if released inmates participate in after care programs.
Comm. DeLeon asked how the CATS program could be improved. Ms. Cates stated it would be great if the Program could focus on criminality as well as substance abuse; however, CATS only has the time to address substance abuse problems while the inmates are confined. Additional funding would be needed to incorporate this component into the current Program.
Chairperson Copedge stated CATS could be rescheduled for further discussion at a future meeting. Ms. Cates encouraged the Commissioners to contact her at any time with questions or concerns.
b. Jail Overcrowding Snap Shot
Mr. Neilsen stated the Snap Shot was taken on Friday, March 16, 2007. The details of the snapshot are included in the agenda material. He then distributed additional information that included snapshot by offense. The Committee reviewed this information.
c. Information Item: Copies of Jail Bed Allocation Agreements from Macomb and Kent Counties
Mr. Neilsen briefly reviewed this information. Beds are allocated on a per judge basis and have provisions for overuse and terms of agreements in Macomb and Kent Counties. Chairperson Copedge stated he would like to know if this agreement works in the two Counties. Mr. Neilsen stated he could only say the jails have 1000 beds and the Counties still experience overcrowding.
3. Controller’s Office
a. Law Enforcement Committee Recommendations from Discussions on Jail Overcrowding
Mr. Neilsen reviewed the Recommendations on the second page of his communication which is included in the agenda material. Comm. Schafer asked if increased use in video arraignments can be included in the recommendations. He then stated he appreciated receiving the Recommendation information.
Chairperson Thomas stated this Committee made a commitment to the community to resolve this problem. Mr. Neilsen stated the deadlines in the Recommendations were made to ensure things are ready for the budget process.
Chairperson Copedge stated increased use of the CATS and House of Commons programs should be included in the Recommendations.
b. Introduction of the 2008 Strategic Planning Information Report – Information from County Offices, Departments and the Courts Regarding 2008 Strategic Planning and Budget Process. This Report includes background information, activity indicators and performance measures.
Mr. Neilsen stated this Committee will receive copies of this Committee’s priorities in the next few weeks. This is the first step in a three part process.
Announcements: None
Public Comment: None
The meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff