National commission releases report

Dec 12, 2017 at 08:47 pm by Observer-Review


National commission releases report ADVERTISEMENT

National commission releases report

YATES COUNTY--The National Institute of Corrections has released their report on the Yates County jail facilities. The findings will be helpful for identifying the questions that need to be addressed locally in deciding the county public safety future building options.
Sheriff Ron Spike submitted a request for a Jail and Justice System Assessment (JJSA) to the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) in August, 2017. The request for assistance was framed around improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the detention operation. Karen Albert and Mark Goldman contracted with the NIC to deliver the onsite technical assistance Nov. 14 to 16.
The purpose of the JJSA is to determine the need for improvements to the existing jail and its operations (including the potential need for new construction, expansion, and/or renovation) and to determine the need for improvements to enhance the effectiveness of the overall justice system. This is accomplished through an assessment of the jail against professional standards and accepted management practices, and an examination of the major components of the justice system including law enforcement, courts, prosecution, defense counsel and community sanctioning options.
The two NIC representatives found:
• Lack of suitable housing for inmates with mental health and special needs.
• Lack of suitable housing appropriate to the unique needs of female inmates.
• Too few program spaces and interview rooms for attorneys and other professionals
• Support functions sized for a population of 44 inmates.
• Booking area does not support efficient intake of arrestees.
• Conduct a cost/benefit analysis of continuing to house U.S. Marshal Service inmates.
• Efforts to implement effect inmate behavior elements inhibited by hidden areas and general visibility.
• Deteriorating building systems and equipment.
• Concerned about compliance issues.
The technical resource providers and attendees discussed the following next steps (in the next three to six months) necessary to continue moving forward to addressing the jail issue.
• Support development of community sanctioning and supervision options including pretrial services.
• Apply to have the NIC planning of new institutions training held in Yates County.
• Initiate planning for development of a plan to address the aging facility and the continued lack of sufficient space generally and for special populations:
-- Expand the existing Corrections Planning Group to include all criminal justice partners (e.g., social services, educators, etc.;
-- Complete the needs assessment and feasibility study; and
-- Develop a system master plan that sets direction for decisions about any new/expanded facilities and changes to system policies and practices.

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