Advisory Board Meeting
January 17, 2008
Board Members Present: David Cook, Advisory Board Chairman; Judge Marilyn Moores, Judge Juvenile Division; Jerry McCory, Proxy for Sheriff Anderson; Scott Newman, Proxy for Mayor Ballard; Leslie Duvall, Rhonda Allen, Division for Family and Children; Dan Young, Judge William Young, Judge Lisa Borges, Christine Kerl, Ryan Vaughn, David Wyser, Proxy for Prosecutor Brizzi;
Board Members Absent: Terry Buford, Pastor Adrienne Holmes, Jane Hart Ajabu,
Others Present: Brian Barton, MCCC; Patty Montgomery, MCCC; Tiffany Clark, MCCC; Ashley Black, MCCC; Charles Eid, MCCC; Robert Crocker, MCCC; Chief Owens, MCCC; Jenna Morrow, MCCC; Chris Collins, MCCC; William Beck, MCCC; Andrea Mosier, MCCC; Sylvester Coleman, MCCC; John Fisher, MCCC; Heather Obergfell, MCCC; Charlotte Pontius, Fairbanks; Judge William Nelson; Marion County Superior Court; Michael Cross, Workforce One; Lori Goins, Riverside; Lloyd Bridges;
With a quorum present Advisory Board Chairman David Cook called the meeting to order at 12:10 p.m.
Approval of Board Minutes
Advisory Board Chairman David Cook asked for a motion to approve the board minutes taken on the meeting held on October 4, 2007.
The motion was moved and seconded and the October 4, 2007 Board Meeting minutes were approved.
Approval of Board Calendar for 2008
Advisory Board Chairman David Cook asked for a motion to approve the Board Calendar for 2008.
The motion was moved and seconded and the Board Calendar for 2008 was approved.
Renovation of Home Detention Division
Executive Director Brian Barton began speaking about the problems that have plagued Home Detention over the last several years. He said that last year there was a high turnover in offender supervision staff and management. The rate of turn over for last year was 64% and this year is on pace to match that.
Brian then began to identify some problem areas in Home Detention. The areas were Equipment Maintenance and Retrieval, Data Entry of Key Client Information, Lack of Home Visits, Under Utilization of Case Management System, Court Hearings, High Caseloads, Client Orientations, and Lack of a Risk Screening Tool.
Brian said that for months Marion County Community Corrections has not been able to utilize our risk and needs tool (COMPAS) due to contractual negotiations with the Court Administrator Office and the vendor. Brian said that MCCC has begun to implement the LSI-R Assessment used by all Probation Departments in Indiana.
Brian said that since implementing the ten (10) question risk tool Marion County Community Corrections has come to realize that 70% of offenders on Home Detention are high risk. Brian said that because we are serving a higher risk offender he must reallocate staff within the Home Detention Division to increase offender accountability.
Brian said that officers must spend more contact time with higher risk offenders especially in the area of home visits. A new policy concerning contact standards based on the offenders risk score is being adopted.
Brian then began speaking about reallocating resources to Home Detention. Brian said that the first step in this plan is to reallocate existing personnel. The Monitoring Center employs fourteen (14) full time employees to assist with the monitoring and scheduling of clients on Home Detention via the computer. Although this function is very important, this function can be provided by a Home Detention vendor. Clients placed on Home Detention will call an 800 number for scheduling issues. The vendor will be provided with Marion County Community Corrections protocols to guide them on how to monitor and respond to the offenders needs.
The current monitoring staff will be moved to different areas of the Home Detention Division. At this time the Monitoring Center has only eleven (11) employees. By adding three (3) monitors to intake and orientation MCCC would double the amount of staff dedicated to Home Detention Intake and Orientation. This would allow Intake and Orientation staff to take more time with offenders and provide better orientations and reduce unnecessary violations or reduce the amount of confusion that happens for new Home Detention offenders.
Seven (7) monitors would work as administrative support staff for Home Detention officers. In this role they would work on data entry into case management system, work on fee collection, employment and pass verifications, and other administrative duties.
One (1) monitor would be responsible for equipment retrieval in the field. Retrieval of the equipment will allow MCCC to maintain a larger inventory and not have to order additional units which would save the agency money.
Brian then said another proposal that has a lot of merit is the development of team leaders for G-SCRAM and RF teams in home detention. The team leader position will allow for upward mobility which is something that has been mentioned in exit interviews by departing Home Detention Officers.
Brian then explained the fiscal impact with project savings that would occur with the reallocation of existing Home Detention Staff and privatize the Monitoring Center functions.
Questions and answers ensued.
Advisory Board Chairman David Cook then asked for a motion to approve the Renovation of Home Detention Division.
The motion was moved and seconded and Renovation of Home Detention Division was approved.
Fairbanks Substance Abuse Treatment Contract
Brian stated that this contract is for Duvall Residential Center only. He said that Fairbanks is already at the Annex. Brian also brought to everyone’s attention that the contract is stair stepped as Duvall is not at its full capacity. Brian said that the actual number of participants expected is around two hundred. (200)
Brian then introduced Charlotte Pontius who is the Director of Program and Development at Fairbanks. Charlotte said that a screening will be done on one hundred percent (100%) of all residents at Duvall. Charlotte said that the screening will take place within ten (10) days of the resident being placed at Duvall. The initial screen will assist in determining the need for a more thorough substance abuse evaluation. This evaluation may take place in a group setting. All residents that meet the requirement for a second more comprehensive, substance abuse evaluation will receive the same within ten (10) working days. This evaluation will be a face to face format. The Addiction Severity Index and an additional measure of readiness to change, will be administered to determine the offenders’ need for treatment, as well as identify the treatment component(s) (if any) most appropriate for each individual evaluated.
Advisory Board Chairman David Cook asked for a motion to approve the Fairbanks Substance Abuse Treatment Contract for Duvall Residential Center.
The motion was moved and seconded and the Fairbanks Substance Abuse Treatment Contract for Duvall Residential Center was approved.
Approval of Workforce Inc. Contract (Duvall Residential Center)
Brian stated that there are two proposals that concern Duvall Residential Center and Workforce Inc as it relates to employment. The first one that he spoke about was the Duvall Employment Development Program. Brian said that the basic components of the program are How to find a Job, Completing a Job Application, Developing a Resume, and Interviewing for a Job. Brian also said that this is the same program that Workforce Inc. has performed at the Indiana Department of Correction Reentry facility in Plainfield.
Advisory Board Chairman asked for a motion to approve the Workforce Inc. Contract at Duvall Residential Center.
The motion was moved and seconded and the Approval of Workforce Inc. Contact at Duvall Residential Center was approved.
Approval of Workforce Inc. Contract (Transitional Employment & Employee Development Program)
Brian stated that many offenders coming into our programs have little or no employment history. He said the lack of job skills and limited employment history is not attractive to employers in the community. Workforce Inc. will provide the following components; Job Skills and Readiness Assessment, Support Services Assessments, Transitional Employment, Support Services Assistance, Job Placement Assistance, Job Retention Follow-Up, Monthly Progress Reports, Emergency Contacts, and Attendance/Punctuality Contacts. Brian then introduced Mike Cross.
Mike Cross stated that he is the Vice President and Chief Officer of Operation at Workforce Inc. Mike said that Workforce Inc. specializes in electronic waste. The residents that are selected by Workforce Inc. will have a job that will be certified by the state in electronic waste. An employee will be employed as a Manufacturing Specialist, work in Shipping and Receiving, or Inventory Control. Workforce Inc. will come to Duvall and interview residents. He said that the resident must be able to lift fifty (50) pounds in order to be considered for employment.
Advisory Board Chairman David Cook asked for a motion to approve Workforce Inc. Contract (Transitional Employment and Employee Development Program).
The motion was moved and seconded and the Workforce Inc. Contract (Transitional Employment and Employee Development Program) was approved.
Approval of DOC Contract for 70 Work Release Beds at Duvall
Brian stated that during the development of the Duvall Residential Center this was a category of offender that was included in the three hundred fifty (350) bed facility. This is an amendment to the current contract Marion County Community Corrections has with Indiana Department of Correction. Marion County Community Corrections will ensure that no IDOC sex offenders will be included in this agreement.
Indiana Department of Correction will pay twenty five ($25.00) a day per bed up to seventy (70) beds. The IDOC offenders will have available to them all services afforded to all residents of Duvall and IDOC offenders will honor all policies and procedures for Duvall residents.
Advisory Board Chairman David Cook asked for a motion to approve the DOC Contract for 70 Work Release Beds at Duvall.
The motion was moved and seconded and the DOC Contract for 70 Work Release Beds at Duvall Residential Center was approved.
Inmate Worker Program
Brian said that back in 1990 inmate workers called trustees at that time provided a lot of tasks in and around the jail primarily in the kitchen. He said that when Conseco Fieldhouse was developed and built then Sheriff Cottey and then Mayor Goldsmith did not want a parade of offenders walking back and forth during the development. Since that time we have a great partnership with our neighbors and the sentence population at the Annex has changed. The jail houses pre trail offenders and the Annex houses a sentenced population.
All inmates housed at the Correctional Center would be required to work if they are medically and physically able to work. Community Corrections would benefit by having fewer inmates to monitor in the building and inmates will return tired and be less a problem. Inmates that work during the week will have recreational opportunities such as basketball at the jail gym on the weekend. This will give them an opportunity for physical recreation that is not provided for them at the Center.
This plan will help the inmates develop a stronger work ethic and learn job responsibilities. Training certificates may be earned by their work and classroom training in food service preparation. All inmates will continue in other Community Corrections programming as well.
Brian is asking the board for their support so the inmates will understand that this is a rule that the board would like for you to follow. Brian stated that there is no credit time allowed anymore.
Advisory Board Chairman David Cook asked for a motion to approve the Inmate Worker Program.
The motion was moved and seconded and the Inmate Worker Program was approved.
Election of 2008 Officers
It was suggested by the board to table the election of officers until the next meeting for a few reasons. The reason beings are that Advisory Board Chairman David Cook is resigning his position and a new Chief Public Defender has not been appointed, there are four (4) vacancies that need to be filled by the City Council, and two of the Board’s members have reached their expiration date. Drew Carlson stated that the two members, Dan Young and Pastor Holmes can serve on the board for sixty (60) days after the expiration date. Mr. Young and Pastor Holmes have membership expiration date of December 31, 2007. Drew Carlson stated that the election of officers must be held thirty (30) days after the last Board appointment is made.
It was also suggested that a meeting needs to happen before the 15th of April so Dave Cook can still serve as the Advisory Board Chairman.
Advisory Board Chairman David Cook asked for a motion to table the Election of Officers for 2008. David Cook also asked for a motion to move the meeting up to some date prior to April 17, 2008 so David Cook could serve as Advisory Board Chairman.
The motion was moved and seconded and the Election of Officers for 2008 was tabled until the next Advisory Board meeting. A motion was also moved and seconded that the next Advisory Board meeting would be moved up to a prior date before April 17, 2008.
Old Business
None
New Business
Judge Bill Nelson asked to be heard. Judge Nelson stated that he stands before the board today for the first time in seven (7) years as a non member and as a member of the public. He stated that he is angry, frustrated, and rather disgusted. Judge Nelson stated that he came to the board meeting today to accept Mike Wallman’s nomination to serve as this board’s next chairman. Judge Nelson said that he brought with him a list of changes that he and key employees of Marion County Community Corrections would like to see over the next year. He said that anyone who would like to see the list may do so. Judge Nelson stated that on Tuesday, January 15th he received an order from Judge Ted Sosin removing him from the board effective immediately. He said that the reason given for his removal was in the best interest of public safety and is important to Marion County given the current budget restrictions. Judge Nelson says that his appointment on the board is a non pay position. Never in the history of Marion County Community Corrections has a judge been removed from the board against his will. Judge Nelson stated that he has worked very closely with Brian Barton on getting implementation of the SCRAM program, a very successful weapon in the war against drunk driving. He said that Marion County is the first court and also the first county in the state of Indiana to use SCRAM. Judge Nelson stated that as Vice Chairman on the Marion County Community Corrections Advisory Board he attended many neighborhood meetings in getting the Duvall Residential Center opened. Judge Nelson said that eight years ago he approached then Circuit Court Judge Lawrence and asked him if he could serve on the Community Corrections Advisory Board and there was not an opening. He said that he was persistent in asking to be appointed and when there was a vacancy he was appointed. Judge Nelson believes that his removal from the board is purely political. Judge Nelson said that he has worked as a board member with a Republican Sheriff, Republican Mayor, Democrat Mayor, and Democrat Sheriff. Judge Nelson believes that the same people who removed him from the board are also trying to remove Director Brian Barton for political reasons. Judge Nelson stated that the removal of Brian Barton would be the worst thing that could happen to Community Corrections. Brian he said has done wonders for Community Corrections in his eleven (11) years as Director. Judge Nelson pleaded with the current board members not to be sucked in by politically pressures. He asked that politics be kept out of public safety and out of this board. Judge Nelson then expressed that it has been a pleasure working on the board and with the board members.
Advisory Board Chairman then asked if there was any more new business and would anyone else like to be heard. Brian Barton then asked if he could be heard.
Brian said he has worked with both Republicans and Democrats during his eleven (11) years as Director and he is going to continue to work hard. He then thanked Advisory Board Chairman David Cook for serving as Advisory Board Vhairman and for being his friend and mentor. He said that everything Community Corrections has accomplished has been with the assisitance of David Cook.
Advisory Board Chairman David Cook then asked for a motion for adjournment.
The motion was moved and seconded and the meeting was adjourned at 1:39pm.