OKLAHOMA CITY (Free Press) — The Oklahoma County Felony Justice Advisory Council (CJAC) met on Thursday afternoon for his or her first month-to-month assembly in particular person because the early days of the pandemic.
In the course of the subdued assembly, the Council heard displays on the ReMerge program, a amenities subcommittee, Psychological Well being points, a legislative replace from Carrie Slatton-Hodges, and an replace on the state of the Oklahoma County Detention Heart (Jail) from Belief CEO Greg Williams.
The physique was additionally knowledgeable concerning the potential development for Oklahoma County Commissioner Brian Maughan’s SHINE Program.
Authorities in line with columnist Marty Peercy
Funds
The primary order of enterprise on the CJAC agenda Thursday afternoon was the consent docket. At conferences of most public our bodies, the consent docket (or consent agenda) is an inventory of minor pro-forma enterprise gadgets which are inconsequential sufficient to be voted via as one merchandise.
At CJAC’s Thursday assembly, nevertheless, the physique was referred to as to vote on a consent docket that included minutes of the earlier assembly, a report on expenditures and financials, and, to the shock of a minimum of one reporter, the whole proposed FY 2023 finances for the group.
SHINE
Included on this yr’s finances is a $12,000 allocation to the SHINE Program.
SHINE, which stands for Begin Serving to Impacted Neighborhoods In every single place, was based by District 2 County Commissioner Brian Maughan as a method of different sentencing for low-level offenders. SHINE has been a “group service” choice for Oklahoma County district judges, prosecutors, and protection attorneys to assist purchasers keep away from stays in Jail.
In line with Maughan, this yr will see a a lot bigger funding in SHINE in Oklahoma County.
At Thursday’s assembly of the County Funds Board, which consists of all elected county officers, the County voted to offer SHINE $200,000 for operations this yr. Added to that’s cash from Del Metropolis, CJAC, and doubtlessly from the Metropolis of Oklahoma Metropolis.
Maughan mentioned that the extra funding will enable this system to turn out to be a free-standing county program as an alternative of being beneath the auspices of Maughan’s workplace.
ReMerge
Jenna Morey, Govt Director of ReMerge, gave a presentation concerning the well-liked native social service group.
Morey defined that this yr would be the tenth anniversary of ReMerge. The group serves moms with minor youngsters. Moms who’re dealing with non-violent felonies and who’ve an opportunity of being reunited with their youngsters are eligible for this system.
ReMerge serves 50 girls at any given level, and roughly 75 girls annually.
Morey mentioned that individuals have a recidivism price of 4%, in comparison with a 20% price for related populations launched straight from Division of Corrections custody.
ReMerge is at present ramping up the workforce readiness piece of their program. They’ve not too long ago began a bakery program referred to as Catalyst Cookies, whereby they will work on some job expertise with individuals. Morey introduced cookies from Catalyst for members of CJAC and for attendees of the assembly.
Morey additionally mentioned that Catalyst has not too long ago launched “take and bake” frozen cookie dough.
Services Subcommittee
Dan Straughan, a member of CJAC and Govt Director of the Homeless Alliance, gave a short presentation on progress from the Jail Services subcommittee.
Straughan mentioned that the members of the subcommittee have visited with a number of consultants. He additionally mentioned that participation on the subcommittee has been nice and insightful.
The subcommittee has created an RFP for a guide, as is de rigueur in authorities enterprise. Solicitation for the RFP is due on Might 26, in order that they hope to have a guide in place by summer season.
This guide will assist the small group acknowledge if rehabilitation for the present Jail constructing is simpler than constructing a brand new facility.
Within the meantime, Oklahoma County will proceed to fund updates equivalent to new locks and higher water dealing with to the crumbling and, reportedly, lethal facility.
Psychological Well being
Carrie Slatton-Hodges, Commissioner of the Oklahoma Division of Psychological Well being and Substance Abuse Companies, talked to the Council about advances and alternatives surrounding psychological well being therapy and different points in Oklahoma.
The best change in laws that psychological well being advocates noticed on this session was the passage of a brand new legislation concerning psychological well being transport. Beforehand the state legislation required any psychological well being transport to be performed by legislation enforcement personnel. The brand new change in legislation states that if transport to a facility or mattress will take greater than half an hour, the transport may be executed by a separate physique.
Slatton-Hodges mentioned that the Division has created an RFP that will probably be launched quickly. A contractor will probably be chosen for the job. This has been already funded by the state.
She additionally mentioned that $7.5 million has been earmarked for rising disaster facilities and psychological well being pressing cares.
In July 2023, a brand new psychological well being disaster hotline will probably be rolled out statewide. At that time, any resident will be capable of dial 988 for psychological well being disaster companies, as an alternative of being linked with doubtlessly harmful interactions with police.
Jail Operations
Newly elected Chair of the Jail Belief, former Metropolis Supervisor Jim Sofa, launched Jail CEO Greg Williams to offer an replace on Jail operations.
Williams’s remarks had been a lot the identical as his report at Monday’s Jail Belief.
Thursday’s morning inhabitants depend was in step with latest counts. 1493 detainees had been counted, which included 120 folks awaiting transport to Division of Corrections custody. Williams mentioned roughly 26 of these had been transferred within the afternoon earlier than the assembly.
Williams reiterated that the Jail at present has no optimistic COVID-19 instances, and no person reporting signs of the identical.
CJAC will meet once more on June 17 at 3:00 p.m. That assembly may even be in particular person, however the location has not been settled.
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Final Up to date Might 20, 2023, 9:35 PM by Brett Dickerson – Editor
The put up Felony Justice Advisory Committee discusses Jail, SHINE, psychological well being appeared first on Oklahoma Metropolis Free Press.
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