March 10, 2005
JUDICIARY
February 24, 2005
Minutes
Members Present: Dianne Holman, Tina Weatherwax-Grant, Deb Nolan, Chris Swope, Randy Schafer, Steve Dougan and Board Chairperson Mark Grebner
Members Absent: None
Others Present: John Neilsen, Jerry Ambrose, David Easterday, Judge Baird, Maureen Winslow, Judge Economy, Judge Garcia, Jeff Venn, Nervy Oliver, Don Reisig, Dave Buck, Garrett Turke, Travis Faulds and others
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Holman at 7:12 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the February 10, 2005 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. SWOPE, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 10 MINUTES AS AMENDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Additions to the Agenda
1. Informational Binder
2. Additional Information
Limited Public Comment: None
1. Family Division – Judge Baird – Review of Progress to Date on Juvenile Justice Issues and Discussion of Next Steps
Judge Baird reviewed the contents of the Informational Binder which included: Demographics & Statistics, Millage Information, Status of Risk Assessments, Continuum of Care Model, Architect Consultation and Appendices. The Millage Information section detailed what has been done to date with Millage funds and the status of the current millage fund. The Court will distribute informational fliers to the community when it is time to renew the millage.
Status of Risk Assessments – Judge Baird stated the Risk Assessment tool (tool) has been very successful and the Juvenile Court Officers like working with the tool. The next step regarding the Assessment process is to determine the mean scores.
Continuum of Care Model – Judge Baird explained the Court’s concept of the Continuum of Care Model. The Model or Facility (Facility) would house several services under one roof so that youth in the system can live without exposure to further risk behaviors. Judge Garcia explained the Facility would be separate and apart from the Youth Center. It would house a day-treatment center, a night-reporting system and a detention center.
Architect Consultation – Judge Baird stated a vendor has partnered with elementary schools to develop a design concept for the Facility. Also, a review of our current physical facility is needed as part of this review process. Judge Garcia addressed location options for the proposed Facility. Matching funds may be available to rehabilitate an existing structure. He further stated a professional would assist in determining the best location for the proposed Facility.
The Committee addressed the above information. Comm. Weatherwax-Grant asked the Court to clarify its need for the proposed Facility. Judge Baird explained this County does not have a long-term program. Currently, the Court uses a day-treatment program at Cross Roads. Ingham County also does not have a night reporting system. The Youth Center does not have sufficient space to adequately provide the needed additional services.
Comm. Schafer asked about his continuing concerns regarding youth who are picked up during the night for burglary-type offenses. Judge Baird explained that placement for those youth is determined through the Court. Comm. Schafer stated he appreciated the information presented this evening. He then expressed his concern regarding the need for placement of youth who commit misdemeanors during the night time hours. Judge Garcia stated the proposed Facility would free up bed space for these youth at the Youth Center.
In response to Comm. Dougan, Judge Baird stated vacant schools would be options for the location of the proposed Facility. She then stated that it is ultimately up to the Board of Commissioners to approve a site. Comm. Dougan suggested the Court consider the Maplewood School.
Comm. Nolan expressed her strong interest in this area. She based her election campaign on juvenile justice. Comm. Nolan then expressed her concern that she has not heard of the proposed Facility before this evening. The Youth Violence & Prevention Coalition has not heard of the proposed Facility. All appropriate parties should have an on-going discussion regarding the current gaps in treatment. Comm. Nolan further stated the YVPC has a great amount of expertise in this area.
Judge Garcia stated he understands Comm. Nolan’s concerns. However, through the Juvenile Justice process, needs have been identified and improvements have been made to existing programs to date. Some of the gaps in the services have been addressed but the Court is still sending youth out of the County and out of the State for treatment. Comm. Nolan informed this Committee that the Law Enforcement Committee held a discussion on the possibility of having a per judge bed allotment in the Youth Center. Judge Garcia stated this would not be the best practice for many cases. Judge Garcia explained that the Court is requesting the approval to study options as to what it should do next.
Board Chairperson Grebner (Chairperson Grebner) stated the Juvenile Justice Millage was not endorsed by the Courts or the Board of Commissioners. Mr. Faulds, Youth Center Director, informed this Committee in July that he could manage the Youth Center with the existing resources. If this changed, he would inform the Committee. Approximately $4.5 to 5 million in non-continuing funds remains in the Millage fund. These funds can be used for programming. Chairperson Grebner further stated the County should not eliminate the option of out of State placement for specialized cases.
Judge Garcia stated that of the 32 youth currently in out of State placement, 20 of them could be placed in the proposed Facility. Chairperson Grebner stated the proposal should be sent to the YVPC for their review and input. However, the Board of Commissioners will decide if a new Facility will be constructed. He then explained his interest in creating a non-secure facility. He would not support adding a wing to the Youth Center for the proposed Facility. Judge Baird stated Washtenaw County has a wonderful continuum of care facility. She encouraged the Commissioners to tour this facility.
Comm. Weatherwax-Grant stated the 2003 and 2004 Judiciary Committees spent approximately 18 months taking a good look at our system. It is fair to assume there is a true need to address the need of a residential treatment center. She then stated she does not believe the YVPC is the best entity to make a decision regarding the question of whether to build a new facility or to contract with a vendor to provide the services. The next step should be determined in the next month or two.
Comm. Nolan stated she has been leaning toward a County-owned facility. We should be sure that we have all the necessary input from interested parties before the County takes its next step. Comm. Schafer stated this Committee has had a good working relationship with the court over the past three years. He stated he is impressed with the Court’s proposal and would be willing to support a resolution to hire an architect. He also expressed his appreciation to Comm. Weatherwax-Grant and Comm. Holman for their time and effort put into the area of juvenile justice over the last year and a half.
Judge Garcia stated this County has a wonderful and unique opportunity to re-engineer its youth treatment services. This Committee has been very supportive of the Court staff and Judges. He expressed his appreciation to have another opportunity to work with this Committee.
Dr. Turke informed the Committee that 75% of the graduates from the current residential program recidivate. Seventy-five percent of those graduates recidivate at the felony level. He then stated his belief that youth should be placed in a continuum of care program as soon as he/she enters the court system. Comm. Schafer expressed his concern that waiting to make a decision regarding the proposed Facility would mean that more youth would fall through the cracks of the current system.
2. Controller’s Office – Long Term Priority, Providing Appropriate Sanctions; Providing Additional Appropriate Amount of Beds at the Ingham County Jail and Probation Residential Services
Mr. Ambrose stated the Board of Commissioners adopted a long-term objective of exploring alternative law enforcement funding. In 2004, the Board established a subcommittee consisting of Comms. Stid, Minter and Grebner to review this matter. Background information was prepared and reviewed by the subcommittee.
Mr. Ambrose reviewed the information contained in his memorandum regarding Encouraging the Use of Appropriate Sanctions, dated February 24, 2005. The memorandum outlined the use of the County Jail, Community Corrections, and the Jail Utilization Coordinator Committee.
From a financial perspective, the question to be addressed is whether additional capacity or support should be financed to appropriately accommodate the number and type of offenders in the County’s justice system. Modifications to the Jail have been made since the early 1980’s to increase the physical capacity. Since at least 2000, the number of sentenced and unsentenced inmates housed at the Jail has exceeded its capacity most of the time. The practical experience learned from the initial expansions of the Jail, and from other Jail expansions, is that expansion rarely eliminates overcrowding or reduces recidivism. Mr. Ambrose stated the Jail capacity tends to be used to its fullest.
Mr. Ambrose stated staff supports the use of alternative sentencing programs via the CCAB. The Jail Utilization Coordinating Committee (JUCC) is looking for better ways to use the Jail. Providing additional financial support to the strategies and initiatives being considered by the JUCC may be appropriate.
Comm. Nolan stated this Committee needs further discussion regarding out-County law enforcement services. Mr. Ambrose stated he would provide this Committee with information regarding what services are used by each municipality.
Comm. Schafer stated this Committee should discuss the issue of alternative law enforcement funding, not a subcommittee. Mr. Ambrose stated his office will provide this Committee with cost parameters to consider at the beginning of the budget process, rather than later in the budget year.
Chairperson Holman stated the Commissioners should inform her of any ideas they may regarding agenda item one. The YVPC can review the proposal as soon as possible. Mr. Neilsen stated he will speak with the Court and the YVPC regarding a review of the proposal.
Announcements: None
Public Comment: None
The meeting adjourned at 8:51 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff