Amended 6/14/07

JUDICIARY

May 30, 2007

Minutes

Members Present:         Rebecca Bahar-Cook, Andy Schor, Dianne Holman, Deb Nolan, Randy Schafer and Board Chairperson Marc Thomas

Members Absent:         Tina Weatherwax-Grant

Others Present:             John Neilsen, Christina Campbell, Jill Malinowski, Bill Davidson, Kimberly Turner, David Ferguson, Jennifer Batson, Sara Deprez, Maureen Winslow, Warren Henson, Tamiekco Smith, Garret Turke, Eyitayo Onifade and others

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Bahar-Cook at  7:08 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.

Approval of the May 10, 2007 Minutes

MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO APPROVE THE MAY 10 MINUTES AS AMENDED.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comms. Schor and Weatherwax-Grant

The Minutes were amended to reflect the following:

Page One; agenda item 2: 

Comm. Nolan stated Mr. Paparella was highly instrumental in developing this Report.

Changed to:  Comm. Nolan stated Mr. Paparella, Ms. Schrock and Ms. Hill-Schorsch were highly instrumental in developing this Report.

Page Two; first paragraph – “subject to the approval of the Board” should be changed to:  “subject to the approval of the Board Chair”

Additions to the Agenda

4.         Overcrowding at Detention Center

3.         YLS Update

Limited Public Comment:          None

1.         Controller’s Office – Report on the Status of the Continuum of Care Search for Suitable Property

Mr. Neilsen reviewed the information in the agenda material regarding the seven sites currently being considered for the Continuum of Care Facility.  Comm. Nolan stated the Walter French property is now for sale.  She would be interested in visiting the site.

Mr. Neilsen stated this Committee can work with the Court to review property and to bring a recommendation to this Committee. 

2.         Integrated Justice Information System – Report on Status of Projects

Mr. Neilsen stated this Committee requested a presentation regarding the IJIS project.  Mr. Ferguson, IJIS coordinator, reviewed the information contained in his May 25, 2007, memorandum to this Committee.  He explained that IJIS is a suite of integrated computer applications and equipment developed to improve the criminal justice process within the County. 

The benefits from IJIS include improved accuracy through one-time case data entry with electronic sharing; the elimination of manual compilation and/or submission of State mandated data and reports; the reduction of staff interruptions by allowing public query access within court established security criteria; and, increased revenue generated from court regulated public access. 

Mr. Ferguson then reviewed the operational systems as contained in his memorandum.  The automatic creation of D-55s Traffic case using electronic citation data is still in development. 

(Comm. Schor arrived at 7:25 p.m.)

Comm. Nolan stated this Committee is aware of concerns regarding Maximus and Court View.  She then asked how those concerns will be addressed.  Mr. Ferguson stated he has been at the court every other day for the past two weeks working on their concerns.  The abstract reporting of “Minor in Possession” cases to the Secretary of State has been fixed.  The Public Terminal Access has also been fixed.  Address change concerns should be resolved by the week of June 4-8; the Criminal History Reporting issue will be resolved in the third quarter of 2007; and the Traffic Case initiation issue will be resolved by the fourth quarter of 2007.

Mr. Ferguson addressed various questions of this Committee.  Board Chairperson Thomas asked for clarification regarding IJIS.  Mr. Ferguson explained that IJIS acts as an umbrella which houses several programs.  Chairperson Bahar-Cook asked Mr. Ferguson to explain the process for identifying problems and for resolving them in a timely manner.  Mr. Ferguson explained that the original user reports problems to Maximus.  If Maximus does not respond to the concern in a timely manner, he is notified.  Mr. Ferguson then explained the process for addressing concerns.

Chairperson Bahar-Cook asked if the apparent breakdown in communication with the District Court has been resolved.  Mr. Ferguson stated the District Court reported their problems to Maximus.  The last concern did take a while to resolve. 

3.         Report on YLS Risk Assessment Project

Power-Point Presenters:  Dr. Turke, Dr. Davidson, Ms. Malinowski, Mr. Onifade, Ms. Campbell, Ms. Turner

Dr. Turke stated the Commissioners may contact the YLS Team at any time with questions or concerns regarding the YLS. 

The Committee received printed copies of the power-point presentation.  Dr. Turke stated the YLS instrument has been utilized for the past three years on over 2700 assessments.  The assessments have been integrated into court reports and case-decision making. 

Dr. Davidson reviewed the assessment process material.  He stated the YLS Team has determined the assessment tool is a valid instrument for Ingham County.  The tool provides a blueprint for interventions.

Mr. Onifade reviewed the YLS data statistics. 

(Comm. Schafer left the meeting at 8:07 p.m.)

The Committee asked various questions during this presentation.

Dr. Davidson stated the YLS Team appreciates this Committee’s support in this endeavour.    The support from the Judges, Managers and the MIS–Courtview team is also appreciated. 

Comm. Schor asked when the County will know if the assessment tool, new programming, etc. has improved the past system for addressing youth.  Dr. Davidson explained results can be seen in the recidivism data; and, the Court will have a better understanding of where the youth will end up once they leave the court system. 

Comm. Schor asked if there is a chance of partnering with the County Parks to help funnel the youths’ energy in a positive manner.  Ms. Winslow stated she is not aware of any discussions regarding that issue; however, those discussions could begin.  The County currently has an after-hours program which is very successful.  Comm. Schor asked Ms. Winslow to let him know if something can be worked out with the County Parks.

Comm. Nolan asked if the YLS Team will share its assessment data with this Committee.  Dr. Turke stated they will share the data with this Committee.  (“at a later date” was deleted)

Chairperson Bahar-Cook thanked the YLS Team for their informative presentation.

4.         Overcrowding at IC Detention Center

Ms. Winslow stated the overcrowding situation at the Youth Center may endanger the Center’s license.  She then explained that arrest and neglect petitions normally increase at this time of the year.    Also, the State has closed a number of facilities.  Ms. Deprez and Ms. Read will continue to work each day to bring the Center numbers down.  The Shiawassee County Detention Center is full; therefore, they are not in a position to take any of our overflow. 

Ms. Winslow stated discussions regarding possible alternatives will continue.  A weekend release list is currently being considered. 

Ms. Deprez stated the Center has been overcrowded 27 out of the last 92 days.  This is a daily battle.  She further explained the beds are being used by some very serious offenders.

Announcements:           None

Public Comment:          None

The meeting adjourned at 9:06 p.m. 

Respectfully submitted,

Debra Neff