HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-17-2016 - 7-a - Criminal Justice Advisory Council 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: May 17, 2016
Action Agenda
Item No. 7-a
SUBJECT: Criminal Justice Advisory Council
DEPARTMENT: Board of County
Commissioners
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Caitlin Fenhagen, 919-245-2303
1) Proposed Structure Commissioner Barry Jacobs, 919-245-
2) Proposed Charge 2130
Commissioner Bernadette Pelissier, 919-
245-2130
PURPOSE: To consider the creation, charge and member structure for the proposed Criminal
Justice Advisory Council (CJAC) and, if approved, appoint two Board members to the Council
and direct the Clerk to the Board to solicit applicants for potential appointment to the other
respective Council positions.
BACKGROUND: At its September 5, 2013 regular meeting, the Orange County Board of
Commissioners created an Assessment of Jail Alternatives Work Group (JAWG). The
Board stated that before the planning of a new jail began, a comprehensive assessment of jail
alternative programs needed to be completed to assess the impact of each on the jail
population.
The charge of the JAWG was to investigate and make recommendations to the BOCC
concerning alternatives to incarceration programs operating in Orange County, including but not
limited to the following programs: Pretrial Release, Pretrial Diversion, Drug Court, Family Court
and Adult Probation. The Work Group was directed to submit a Report back to the BOCC by
March 31, 2014. At the recommendation of the BOCC, the composition of the JAWG included
county and criminal justice leaders and stakeholders. Commissioners Barry Jacobs and
Bernadette Pelissier also served as JAWG members. The last meeting of the JAWG was on
March 1, 2016.
At that last meeting, the JAWG discussed the future of this short-term Work Group. Staff and
group members have learned from conversations with stakeholders that there is an interest and
commitment to having a permanent Criminal Justice Advisory Council operating in Orange
County. A permanent advisory council would coordinate, inform and enhance the work
underway and being considered in the criminal justice system and in the newly-created Criminal
Justice Resource Office and would be aligned with the best practices for the administration of an
effective, innovative and equitable criminal justice system.
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A Criminal Justice Advisory Council would be an appointed body of elected and senior justice
system leaders and stakeholders that convenes on a regular basis to coordinate systematic
responses to justice system issues and problems. Membership could include stakeholders from
the executive branch of government, the courts, corrections, law enforcement, health and
human services agencies, community-based organizations, and the faith and business
communities.
It is important to create a clear mission statement, a set of goals, a structure of leadership and a
method for evaluating the group's effectiveness. It is recommended that a Chair and Vice-Chair
be selected from within the Council, that sub-committees have an outlined purpose and that task
force or ad hoc groups are carefully considered and limited to a specific task and time-frame.
Typical goals for a Council include improving the jurisdiction's justice system through
collaborative efforts and research, promoting safety, improving the just and efficient treatment of
offenders and reducing incarceration rates, crime rates and recidivism.
Attachment 1 outlines a proposed membership structure that reflects input from the JAWG from
its March 1, 2016 meeting. Attachment 2 outlines a proposed Charge for the Criminal Justice
Advisory Council
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There no financial impact associated with the creation of a Criminal
Justice Advisory Council.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Social Justice Goals are applicable to this item:
• GOAL: FOSTER A COMMUNITY CULTURE THAT REJECTS OPPRESSION AND
INEQUITY
The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race or color;
religious or philosophical beliefs; sex, gender or sexual orientation; national origin or
ethnic background; age; military service; disability; and familial, residential or economic
status.
• GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY
The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary
for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their
dependents.
• GOAL: CREATE A SAFE COMMUNITY
The reduction of risks from vehicle/traffic accidents, childhood and senior injuries, gang
activity, substance abuse and domestic violence.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board:
1) approve the creation of, suggested Charge and Structure of a Criminal Justice Advisory
Council (CJAC);
2) appoint two Board members to serve on the Council; and
3) direct the Clerk to the Board to solicit applicants for potential appointment to the other
respective Council positions and present the list of applicants for potential appointment at
the June 21, 2016 regular Board meeting.
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Attachment 1
Proposed Structure of the Criminal Justice Advisory Council
The proposed structure for the Criminal Justice Advisory Council is:
Position Special Representation Appointee/Designee
Number
1 Senior Resident Superior
Court Judge or Designee
(1)
2 Chief District Court Judge
or Designee (1)
3 District Attorney or
Designee (1)
4 Public Defender or
Designee (1)
5 Clerk of Court or Designee
(1)
6 Orange County Sheriff or
Designee (1)
7/8/9 Municipal Police Chiefs (3)
10 Chief Magistrate or
Designee (1)
11 Department of Social
Services Director (1)
12 Health Department Director
(1)
13 Mental Health
representative (1)
14 Child Support Services
Director (1)
15 Faith Community
representative (1)
16 Probation Chief (1)
17 Substance Use Treatment
Provider (1)
18 Re-Entry Advocate and/or
Individual Formerly
Involved in the Criminal
Justice System (1)
19 Juvenile Justice
representative (1)
20/21 Representatives from
School Systems (2)
22/23 County Commissioners (2)
STAFF SUPPORT
Criminal Justice Resource Manager
Deputy County Manager
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Attachment 2
Proposed Charge of the Criminal Justice Advisory Council
The proposed charge for the Criminal Justice Advisory Council is:
• Creates systematic responses to specific problems
• Reduces the duplication of efforts or conflicting efforts
• Informs and improves the allocation of limited resources
• Increases the communication, cooperation and coordination between
stakeholders
• Ensures the sharing of information and data between stakeholders
• Improves the quality of services and programs by implementing best practices
• Enhances accountability and transparency