Meeting Information
The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council will meet from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Meeting
Tuesday, June 11, 2019
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Attendance included: Judge Miller, Pam Weigand, Chief Wes Lovett, Chuck Epp, Sheriff Ken McGovern, Tamara Cash, Chief Greg Burns, Emily Hail, Patrick Schmitz, Lori Alvarado, Bob Tryanski, Chief Chris Keary, Edith Guffey, Judge Kittel; Robert Bieniecki, CJCC Coordinator, Sarah Plinsky, and Mike Brouwer. Also in attendance: Commissioner Michelle Derusseau and Carrie Neis.
MINUTES
Patrick Schmitz moved approval of the minutes for the March 12, 2019 meeting. Motion was seconded by Scott Miller and carried.
DRUG COURT PROPOSAL – Pam Weigand
Drug Court is a specialized treatment program that targets criminal offenders with substance use disorders and offers an alternative to incarceration by creating an individual treatment plan that is intensive and therapeutic. The participant’s progress is monitored by treatment support team members: District Attorney, Substance Use Counselor/Treatment Provider, Adult Services Officer, Defense Counsel Representative and local Law Enforcement.
Presentation/discussion included:
• Douglas County Drug Court would be a 16 month program divided into four phases that must be fully completed to graduate.
• Participants would meet with adult services for accountability and to report progress.
• Participants would be rewarded for positive behavior.
• Peer support would be offered to participants for encouragement and fellowship.
• The program would offer sober living and transportation assistance if needed.
• Drug Court is a step to reduce the jail population and stop the revolving door in and out of jail, to decrease long-term costs, enhance community ties, and above all to change lives.
• Having DCCCA staff on board is an asset.
• Pam Weigand brought the proposal to the County Commission in a study session. The BOCC wants to see more.
• This program would be different then the Women’s program offered by the District Attorney. There is a significant difference in risk level.
• The Subcommittee would focus on the drug court and make recommendations to DCCCA.
• It was a consensus of the CJCC to form a committee interested in seeking more information on this proposal.
*Member volunteers for the Drug Court proposal study group: Pam Weigand, Patrick Schmitz, Lori Alvarado, Emily Hail, Chief Burns, Bob Tryanski and Tamara Cash.
RISK NEEDS RESPONSIBILITY STUDY PROPOSAL – Robert Bieniecki
The Understanding Risk Needs Responsibility (RNR) study at the local level has been proposed for Douglas County. Initially, the study would collect data to cover three areas to address recidivism: 1) determine the risk level; 2) the dynamic risk/needs of justice-involved individuals in the Douglas County jail and the community; and 3) the availability and effectiveness of services for justice-involved individuals.
Bieniecki stated the study is a simulation tool that brings evidence practice and is used in other jurisdictions to study the effectiveness of local services. He presented the idea to the CJCC for consideration.
Questions/Discussion:
• Cost for implementation is $130,000.
• It was asked how this is different than what we are already doing? It was stated that more information would be needed.
• The program would also look for overlap in services.
• It would be good to get feedback from defense council to see if the program could be used against a client and make them ineligible for a pea bargain. The study could be an asset for the prosecution to determine whether to go to trial.
• The study might be a good idea to identify all the resources in the community and if they are being utilized, though we don’t understand enough about the study at this time.
• It would be good to talk to principles.
• Johnson County has a coaching program to improve response around services. Some other counties have looked at this program. We could get their feedback.
• We need have the Health Department develop a map of services in Douglas County.
• It was a consensus of the CJCC to form a committee interested in seeking more information on this proposal.
*Member volunteers for the RNR study proposal group: Patrick Schmitz, Mike Brouwer, Bob Tryanski, Tamara Cash, Emily Hail and Pam Weigand.
STAFF UPDATES – Robert Bieniecki
• The researchers for the Law Enforcement Contact study finalized the Data Collection Form to be used by the Law Enforcement agencies for demographic information on: why person was stopped; if searched; scope of search; if firearms were involved, etc. The plan is for the team will come back in July or August to train each agency on data collection. Collection of data will start September 1.
• Bieniecki, Jack McDevitt and Janice Iwama met with NAACP, KU Multicultural, and Haskell University. He is considering doing a public information meeting about this.
• Emily Jackson, Data Analyst, from Sheriff’s office resigned a few weeks ago. We are considering repurposing the position under CJCC to also assist with the courts. Bieniecki will work with the CJCC Board and Commission on this position.
• Regarding transportation and failure to appear, Bieniecki and Jill Jolicoeur are looking at how we can work toward lessening this population with transportation assistance. Robo-Calls started back in December 2018. We are looking at the idea of a software program called Hitch Health that interacts with a company like LIFT to give rides. It’s costly when people don’t show up to an appointment or court. Hennepin County, MN is piloting this program for their justice system to lower costs by offering rides to get clients to court appearances. Bieniecki said he is waiting to see test results.
• The Handle with Care program is under way. The program notifies the school if a child has experienced a trauma so they can be “handled with care” that day. This is a pilot program in the Baldwin School District. If successful we hope other school districts will adopt this method. Patrick Schmitz stated he liked this idea.
• Through the Justice Management Institute’s free technical assistance in relating to our state SSA, we are considering a couple difference options. 1) deliver a 90 min. prerecorded seminar to show to group; or 2) a written information packet the Council can or review (or a subgroup). Bieniecki stated he was interested in the video option and said it would be more valuable if specific to Kansas.
• Bieniecki stated his office is currently in the Courthouse, but he will be moving to 1006 New Hampshire. The date is to be determine. He will let the group know.
PUBLIC COMMENT
• Melinda Henderson, Lawrence resident, stated this is her first CJCC meeting. She suggested at future meetings for the speakers to use a microphone. It was hard to hear in the audience.
NEXT MEETING
• Next Meeting: September 10, 2019. Location: Flory Building at Douglas County Fairgrounds.
ADJOURN
Schmitz moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion was seconded by Alvarado and passed.
Time and Date