HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-14-2013 - 2ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: May 14, 2013
Action Agenda
Item No. 2
SUBJECT: Assessment of Jail Alternative Programs
DEPARTMENT: County Manager PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) No
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Orange County District Court
House Tour - Court Programs
Overview
B. Solutions for Local Government
Scope of Services — Assessment of
Jail Alternative Programs
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Frank Clifton, 919 - 245 -2300
Michael Talbert, 919 - 245 -2308
1
PURPOSE: To review and discuss a proposed new County Jail project included in the FY
2013 -18 Capital Investment Plan (CIP), and jail alternative programs.
BACKGROUND: In October 2012, the NC Council of State authorized issuance of a 50 year
land lease to Orange County for approximately 6.8 acres for construction of a Jail facility. The
proposed new Jail is included in the County's FY 2013 -18 CIP with an estimated total project
cost of $30,250,000. A consultant has been retained to evaluate the site and determine the
best configuration of the potential site, along with any constraints (environmental /regulatory for
example) that might impact the development. Site related planning costs have been included in
the CIP at $250,000 for FY 2013 -14. Construction cost estimates from firms in the business of
building detention facilities range from $80,000 to $120,000 per bed. The new jail is intended to
house a minimum of 250 prisoners and provide support spaces needed for such a facility. Site
design costs are planned for FY 2015 -16, and Architectural /Engineering costs are included in
FY 2016 -17, with construction costs in FY 2017 -18.
The proposed new Jail project involves the review of jail alternative programs, individual
program's effectiveness and impact on the inmate population of the Orange County Jail. At the
Board's August 30, 2012 work session, District Court Judge Joseph M. Buckner presented an
overview of Court Programs to the Board. Attachment A is the Powerpoint presented by Judge
Buckner that outlines Court Programs.
The County requested and has received a proposal from Solutions for Local Government, Inc.,
to assess Jail Alternative Programs in Orange County. Before planning for a new jail begins, a
comprehensive assessment of jail alternative programs needs to be completed. Solutions for
Local Government, Inc. has experience evaluating alternatives to incarceration related
programs and assessing the impact on jail population. Attachment B outlines a proposed scope
of services to evaluate current alternatives to incarceration programs.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The possible cost to contract with Solutions for Local Government, Inc.
for an Assessment of Jail Alternative Programs is quoted not to exceed $15,180. Funds are
available from the County Fund Balance, if the Board elects to proceed with the assessment.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board review the new County
Jail project, jail programs that provide alternatives to incarceration, and provide direction to staff
as to the next steps needed regarding alternatives to incarceration as a component to planning
a new Jail.
ttachment A
Orange County
District Court House Tour
Court Programs Overview
Hillsborough, NC
January 23, 2012
Current Jail Situation
The Orange County Jail averages around 165 inmates per
day
The jail is filled nearly to capacity
By housing and transporting federal inmates, the Sheriff's
Department brings revenue in through federal
reimbursements
❖Approximate Average Daily cost per inmate - $63 .65
❖Total projected cost for upcoming fiscal year -
$3,815, 127
Sentencing Changes for
Misdemeanants
90 days or less - Placed in jail; no change
here.
• Funded through local government
Between 90 days and 180 days — Law
passed in 2011 places these offenders in
county jails, reimbursed by the DOC
• a local cost.
• Over 180 days — Placed in Prison
• Funded by Dept. of Corrections
Pretrial Services
- Provides the judge with release from jail options for offenders -
❖ Supervision for offenders with pending charges
❖ Investigates inmates for appropriate
recommendation
❖ Facilitates placements for problems that
manage offender risk factors such as mental
health or substance abuse treatment
❖ Pro-active on strike order supervision,
preventing jail costs on the "front end" as well
as avoiding costs after arrest
Pretrial Services Cr( Social Safet" mani"
❖Calls attention to poor risk factors & revokes non-
compliance promptly with re-arrest
❖TREMENDOUS COST SAVINGS:
300 inmates released through pretrial at a savings of
$70 per day annually Example: average 12 days saved
per defendant X $70/ day (jail costs) X 300 releases =
$252,000 saved
❖Cost sharing of overhead ended with state grant 6/30/2011
❖Admissions for services increased 100% from two years
ago
$54,000 increase needed to cover program costs over the $70,000
allocation from last year @ 70% cost in 15-B
• cost sharing of overhead ended with state grant last fiscal year
❖Goal : Drub Treatment Court
❖ Rehabilitate drug and alcohol offenders while also saving our
justice and judicial system's valuable resources in the long
run .
❖ Method :
❖ Hold chemically dependent offenders accountable by
requiring them to meet rigorous court ordered treatment
plans for a MINIMUM of 12 months.
❖ Results: LO
❖Over 2/3 remain in treatment for over six months.
❖Overall: Effective in rehabilitating offenders while also saving
resources.
Problem :
Drub Treatment Court's State Funding Cut
+ In the state budget, Drug Treatment Courts
were eliminated leaving district courts
searching for funding from local and other
sources.
+ For FY 2011/12 — Orange County 11 k
Commissioners approved $67,000 to keep the
court operational
+ ln 2011 DTC served 61 offenders and
DTC Cost Savings
An example of cost savings : From July to
September 2011, we had 5 graduates with
suspended sentences totaling over 7 years
in prison, however, they served a
combined 12 days jail while in DTC,
totaling $763 . 80 ( 12 days jail * 63 . 65) .
This county and the state did not have to
pay for approximately 2543 days of
jail/prison, or approximately $ 161,862 .
Community Resource Court
❖Goal of Community Resource Court:
❖Collaboration between mental health and judicial professionals
to provide support for offenders suffering from diagnosed
mental health conditions.
❖ Method :
❖ Require these offenders to complete CRC court, as a way to
keep them out of trouble, rehabilitate them, provide support,
and eventually have their charges dropped.
• Results
❖Around 50 participants per year/Orange Co. only — (54 in 2010)
❖Graduation rate has averaged 50% over the last 10 years.
❖ Local studies show recidivism is slowed after CRC involvement.
12
I • Commu ji esou rce Co t ri
J
rj
1
CRC was created to address the treatment needs of people
with mental health issues who became involved with the
criminal courts.
• Links offenders with services and supports that help them to
better manage their mental illness.
• Also called "Mental Health Court" because it helps people
address their mental health needs as well as helping them to
be law abiding residents.
• Funding is $189,000 per year which comes from DHHS and
covers the salary and expenses of the program manager and
care coordinator-covers both Orange and Chatham Counties
• Currently there are no funds that cover court administrator,
judges, or attorneys time.
• The total number served since 2000 in Orange County: 780
13
Dispute 41i Mission: "to promote and bring about the peaceful
settlement of disputes and prevent the escalation of
Settlement conflict through mediation,facilitation, conciliation and
Center training."
•
❖The Dispute Settlement Center is the
original and model mediation center in NC,
founded in 1978 by concerned citizens with
su pp ort of Orange County Board of County
Commissioners .
• DSC serves 3000 a year throu h
people through
Public Disputes, Training and
Youth Programs .
Dispute
Settlement District Court Mediation
Center
DSC's core program for over 30 years
FY 12 state budget eliminated the allocation
to DSC for court mediation : $60, 227
❖ Mediators worked with an average of 200
cases/year with 85% resolution rate for
mediated cases
❖ Mediation saves court time snd effectively
moves cases through the system
Attachment B Orange County, North Carolina 15
Assessment of Jail Alternative Programs
SCOPE OF SERVICES
Major Tasks
The tasks that follow are those proposed as necessary to conduct a study and subsequent assessment of
that current alternative to incarceration programs operating in Orange County in order to assess, among
other things, the impact each has or may have on the inmate population of the Orange County Jail.
These programs include:
1. Pretrial Release
2. Pretrial Diversion
3. Drug Court
4. Family Court
5. Adult Probation [NCDOC Division of Community Corrections]
PHASE I- ASSESSMENT PROCESS
Task 1. Meet with program administrators and designated staff members to:
• Understand program history, organization, purpose & objectives
• Identify the processes of program referral, criteria for acceptance, and participation
requirements
• Collect available statistics, program data, annual reports, etc. to ascertain levels of participation
and outcomes
Task 2. Meet with designated County Courts, Criminal Justice, and related Human Services System
officials to discuss the referenced programs to identify and /or determine: [See list of suggested
Interviewees below]
• Individual (and /or agency) level of involvement with the program(s); as participant,
advisor /advocate, referral resource, etc.
• Are the judges using the programs, which ones, and why?
• Opinions as to program benefits and /or experienced outcomes
• Recommendations for enhancement, expansion, or improvement
• Quantitative data regarding program(s) impact on the County's jail population
Task 3. With regards to the programs surveyed; and based on the meetings conducted and
information gathered:
• Provide a narrative description and overview of activities occurring within each program
• Identify and quantify the staffing for each program
• Identify the level of offender participation in each program (pending availability of data) for at
least the past three (3) years
• Identify recidivism rates of individuals completing the programs within the past 3 -5 years
(pending availability of data).
• Provide a summary of the remarks offered by the Court and Justice System officials interviewed
• Identify program costs and current source(s) of funding for at least the past three (3) years
• Identify revenue received by the program via grants, participant payments, etc. (pending
availability of data) for at least the past three (3) years
• Identify current and recent year individual program costs per participant
Solutions for Local Government, Inc.
16
Orange County, North Carolina
Assessment of Jail Alternative Programs
Task 4. Assess & quantify the impact that referenced program participation has had on the County's
daily /annual jail inmate population(s) and is anticipated to have on future jail populations:
Collect and evaluate data regarding the County's daily and annual jail populations for at least
the past three (3) years utilizing data provided by the Sheriff's Office;
Monthly Jail Population Reports
Existing security classification criteria
Existing bond schedule(s) and practices
Age & gender demographics if /as available
Annual budget allocated to Jail operations
Overlay findings of Tasks 1,2, and 3 with that of Task 4 to determine the net effect and /or
impact of the referenced programs on the County's jail population(s) over the past three (3)
years
Assess and compare the costs identified
Provide summary of study findings and observations and, where appropriate, the basis for any
recommendations made
PHASE II -JAIL ALTERNATIVES WORK GROUP
Task 5. Prepare written draft report documenting findings with regards to each program studied for
review by the County Manager and /or his designee(s), the contents of which will include those
identified in Task 3.
• Receive and respond to comments offered
• Conduct additional research or study if /as required to address outstanding issues or questions
identified
• Include additional information /findings in revised (final) document
• Prepare designated number of printed copies of final report for distribution per County
Task 6. Prepare materials for presentation and be available at such time as designated by the County,
to present the study and its findings during (est.) four (4) "Jail Alternatives Work Group" meetings
(actual name TBD)
• Basis for number of meetings assumes one (1) two -hour meeting per program studied; [this
assumes Adult Probation - Program #5 -would not require discussion since program requirements
are clearly mandated by NC General Statutes or supporting NCAC documentation]
• The consultant's role in these meetings will be to serve as a presenter, participant, and as a
general resource to the group with regards to jail alternative programs in general as well as the
specific issues and recommendations provided in the study.
Interviewees:
It is anticipated that the Court and Criminal Justice officials to be interviewed per Task #2, in addition to
each of the respective Program administrators, would include:
• Senior Resident Superior Court Judge 0 Clerk of Court
• Chief District Court Judge ■ Sheriff
• Two (2) additional listed District Court Judges ■ Jail Administrator
• District Attorney 0 Department of Social Services (DSS)
• Public Defender 0 Mental Health
Solutions for Local Government, Inc.
17
Orange County, North Carolina
Assessment of Jail Alternative Programs
Deliverables - General
We will be prepared to begin work upon notice to proceed and will be immediately accessible and
available to the County throughout the project. The majority of the work described will be done in
Orange County where we in turn, intend to be accessible to all participating County and Criminal Justice
System personnel, citizens, and referenced program administrators.
While the specific "results" of the study to be undertaken cannot be quantified at this time, Solutions for
Local Government is committed to the effective and timely completion of the tasks required and in
providing the County with a thorough assessment of the programs that exist as well as their existing
and /or potential impact on the County's Jail population and associated costs.
Deliverables- Specific
1. Time on site as required to participate in necessary meetings and conduct and /or participate in each
of the major tasks and described; estimate 8 -10 days.
2. Organization of materials for and facilitation of four (4) Jail Alternatives Work Group meetings to
present finding with regards to each major program identified and solicit input and comment
regarding the services currently provided.
3. Formal presentation of findings and recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners, at
such time as determined by the County.
4. Collate, print, bind, and deliver to the County twelve (12) copies of the final report document.
5. A copy of the final report document, together with the Board of County Commissioners presentation
materials will also be provided the County in electronic format.
Fees
The costs that make up the proposed fee are based on:
■ Man - hours; both on -site and "in- office ", and
■ Project related expenses for travel, per diem, communications, materials preparation, and
document production.
At this time it is estimated that the tasks and activities necessary to complete this project will require
between 120 -130 man - hours.
Therefore, based on the stated project requirements and the major tasks and project deliverables
identified in the Scope of Services Work Plan Outline provided, our fee, including all related project
expenses for travel, per diem, document production and printing, are estimated at, and will not exceed;
$15,180.00.
Our practice is to bill monthly (typically on or about the 1St) based on the percentage of the work
completed during the previous month. Once the fee is agreed upon, we do not add service or
administrative fees, or any form of miscellaneous overhead charges to our billing at any time during the
project.
Solutions for Local Government, Inc. 3
W
Orange County, North Carolina
Assessment of Jail Alternative Programs
In addition, we will withhold billing the final 10 percent of our fee until you have received the agreed
upon copies of the report document and are satisfied with the work that has been done.
Schedule
Based upon the Scope of Services outline presented here, a schedule of 4 -6 weeks is suggested to
accomplish The Major Tasks identified in Phase I -The Assessment Process; depending of course on the
availability of the program users and principals identified to be interviewed.
The activities identified in Phase II -The Jail Alternatives Work Group would be scheduled to coincide
with the group's specified meeting dates and times.
The formal presentation to the Board of County Commissioners would occur at such time as requested
by the Manager.
Additional Firm Information
Solutions for Local Government, Inc. is a legal, Sub - Chapter Y Corporation, authorized and
registered with the North Carolina Secretary of State; SOSID: 0624915.
Federal IRS Employer Identification Number: 81- 0546253
Our business location is;
2301 Valencia Terrace
Charlotte, NC 28226
Telephone: 704.366.9719
Toll free: 1.866.300.3545
Solutions for Local Government, Inc. 4