HomeMy WebLinkAbout20151114.tiff WELD COUNTY
i, F CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Centennial Center Building, 3`d Floor, Conference Rooms A & B
915 10th Street, Greeley
Present: Judge James Hartmann, Judge Thomas Quammen, Judge Michele Meyer,
Commissioner Barb Kirkmeyer, Sheriff Steve Reams, Jerry Green, Karen
Salaz, Rick Dill, Keith Coleman, Carl Alm, Jim Merson, Kim Collins,
Kendall Alexander, Sterling Geesaman, Ryan Broswell, Mike
McCormick, Trevor Jiricek, Robb Miller, Doug Erler and Dianna
Campbell
Chair, Judge Hartmann, called the meeting to order at 12:07 p.m.
Introduction of attendees.
AGENDA
1. Meeting Minutes:
A. Judge Quammen motioned to accept the October 14, 2014 meeting minutes with no
changes, Judge Meyer seconded and the motion carried.
2. Subcommittee Reports:
A. Sheriff's Office Jail Reports— Sterling Geesaman, the newly appointed
Undersheriff, reported on Weld County Jail Admission Information, 10,183 bookings
(5.8%increase from 2013), 604 is the daily average population (increased by 27
persons compared to 2013), average length of stay is 21.6 days (increased .3%
compared to 2013). The analysis of all adult bookings when compared to 2013 shows
warrants increased by 8,1%, Failure to Appear (FTA) warrants increased by 8.1%,
new charges increased by 5.9%, traffic related charges increased by 1.5% and other
bookings increased by 6.8%. Probation revocations are classified under Bench
Warrants as clarified by Mr. Geesaman for Judge Quammen. Additionally, he
reviewed the Detention Division Trend Charts from January 2012 to December 2014,
excluding Pretrial Services supervision program data. On the last graph, he explained
that the Average Net Adult General Population Admissions by Day of the Week is the
number of persons booked in minus those that post bond.
Jim Merson inquired if defendants that have been sentenced to the DOC are having an
extended jail stay. Mr. Geesaman explained that defendants stay at the Weld County
Jail for about 3 days after sentencing, until all the court documents have been
received. Then these defendants are transported to Washington County Jail to await
C - 1 - 2015-1114
+0W—aO/5
final transfer to the DOC. Mr. Geesaman indicated that the Washington County Jail
has been reaching maximum capacity and sometimes there is a delay in sending
identified offenders over. Additionally, the Washington County Jail will not accept
offenders with medical issues. The benefit of utilizing the Washington County Jail is
that the state is billed directly and it frees up space at the Weld County Jail. Rick Dill
added that populations are increasing statewide, 49% are due to recidivism. The DOC
has had an increase in admissions as well. Parole violations arc sent to Washington
County Jail. Sheriff Reams stated that Washington County has several agreements,
that their jail generates revenue; they may not be able to satisfy all agreements and
may only keep the priority agreements in the future.
Ryan Broswell presented the Work Release program information. Mr. Broswell noted
that there has been a decrease in successful completions from 2013 to 2014 by 9%.
Part of this can be contributed to the Violation of Protection Order regressions, this
issue has been addressed and he feels is leveling out. Work Release is averaging 22
regressions per month, 8% increase from 2013 to 2014. EHM numbers have
increased in regressions as well. He noted that more offenders with prior offenses are
serving EHM sentences.
Later in the meeting, there was further discussion about the Work Release program.
Judge Quammen inquired if a defendant is regressed from Work Release, can they
serve Work Release later? Mr. Broswell stated that the regression is linked to the
specific case. No future Work Release sentences can be served if Revoked &
Reinstated on that particular case; however, they can serve a Work Release sentence
for other cases. Sheriff Reams stated that he plans to review all programs for
effectiveness. Continued discussion around defendants regressing on a lengthy Work
Release sentence to serve a 90-day limited straight time sentence; that defendants
may intentionally regress to serve a shorter straight time sentence. To eliminate this
possibility, successful completion of Work Release is often tied-in as a Condition of
Probation. Judge Meyer stated that defendants arc being "rewarded" with Work
Release regression and Probation revocation; they end up serving less time than
originally sentenced. Mr. Merson inquired about reasons for Work Release
regression. Mr. Geesaman indicated that he would provide that information for
analysis.
The discussion continued if employment was linked to success in the Work Release
program. Defendants that come into the program with ajob appear to be more
successful. Those without jobs are allowed to job seek but do not appear as invested.
If a defendant loses their job, they are allowed time to job seek. Rick Dill noted that
female offenders have a harder time finding employment due to minimal work
history/experience.
B. Pretrial Services Reports — Dianna Campbell, Pretrial Services Supervisor reported
on the statistics for the Pretrial Services program for January through December
2014. She reported on average year-to-date, 88.6% public safety rate, 95.7%
technical compliance rate, 2,413 cases with no FTA's giving an 86.8% court
2
appearance rate, 2,116 risk assessments were completed, 1,917 supervision intakes
(by defendant), 2,059 intakes (by case), 1018 monthly average of active supervised
cases and 2,779 casts closed for the year. Judge Hartmann inquired if there have
been any delays in interviews for Weekend Bail-Bond Hearings. Mr. Merson and
Ms. Campbell indicated that there has not been any delays in the process. Mr.
Merson noted during weekdays, Public Defenders are able to interview defendants
after receiving the Bail Reports and informing defendants the purpose of the Bail
Hearing. Judge Quammen stated that Bail Hearings are going quicker and smoother,
that having representation is actually keeping defendants on-point and providing the
information needed. PD presence is also expediting the process with attending
DDA's.
C. Mental Health/Criminal Justice Subcommittee Update- Kendall Alexander from
North Range Behavioral Health (NRBH) stated they have been busy with setting up
the new Crisis Response/Intensive Campus Facility at the former PsychCare site. He
also mentioned that this Friday would be the next Inter-Agency meeting at Greeley
Police Ileadquarters. The Mental Health/ Criminal Justice Subcommittee has been
discussing the possibility of assisting NRBH enhance its BASIC program through
Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) funds. More to report at the next meeting.
D. Intensive Service Campus facility and programs- Kim Collins from NRBII
distributed Crisis Support cards, stating they are trying to saturate the market. The
card has two phone numbers, 970-347-2120 is to their direct care staff and the 844-
493-TALK is the statewide number, it may be called three times within 24 hours.
Sheriff Reams requested an electronic version of the marketing materials; when they
are available Ms. Collins will distribute. Addendum: Doug later sent out the
electronic versions provided by Kim.
The Crisis Support team is focused on more face-to-face contacts. In December, the
new facility opened. An Open House is scheduled for January 21st from 4-6pm,
please RSVP if attending. The"soft start" has implemented the 24 walk-in services,
the mobile team and transportation services. They are staffed with an
interdisciplinary team; peer supports, manager, and psych consultant. Other services
such as Detox are still in place, but the Crisis Response services arc designed to keep
someone out of a higher level of care (residential) or to avoid negative police contact.
Ride-alongs are a work in progress. Chief Alm from Greeley Police inquired if the
mobile team has any kind of insignia for identification purposes. Ms. Collins stated
that their NRBH badge could identify staff. The transportation team has been to
Denver to pick-up clients; distance is not an issue, the only criterion is a level of
crisis. The Crisis Team is collaborating with other agencies, such as Centennial
Mental Health, for prompt deployment of transportation when needed. Ms. Collins
will be meeting with dispatch, to help route people into the right place. Additionally,
the Crisis Team has been working with NCMC in routing people based on aggression
and medical needs. This has been a learning process, asking for grace during this
period. Over 50 people have been hired; about 75% of the positions have been filled.
The biggest staffing gap is in the overnight shifts, there remains a limited pool of
3
qualified candidates. For the mobile team, training NRBH borrowed strategics from
DHS. When going into people homes, safety concerns and precautions are required.
Doug Erler inquired about serving the criminal justice system population thus far.
Ms. Collins stated that 75-80% have been off the street, not involved with the
criminal justice system. Sheriff Reams stated that the population might change as law
enforcement learns more about the Crisis Teams services. Everyone praised NRBH
for their work in this area.
Criminal Justice Analysis - Rick Dill, contract Criminal Justice Analyst for Weld
County, reviewed his "Executive Summary of Local Criminal Justice System
Changes 2014 Year to Date" handout. The information presented is meant to be
informative to multiple parties that may be impacted; he qualified to say that the
information does address the"why." Rick plans to meet with justice system
departments individually to evaluate and assess systemic needs.
A summary of Rick's report:
I. Reported Crime and Criminal Court Filings
i. The number of crimes reported to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation by all
Weld County law enforcement agencies increased slightly in 2013* (+.1%)
following a lengthy downward trend averaging --2.6% each year since 2008.
• The number of adult arrests reported followed a similar downward trend
until 2012 when it ballooned by 15.2%. Reported adult arrests declined
the following year in 2013 (- 5.7%).
• The number of felony criminal case filings reported FY2012-2013 by the
Colorado Judicial Branch for the 19" Judicial District increased
significantly (+12%) following declines every year since 2009.
• The number of felony criminal filings reported FY2013-2014 continued to
increase but more slowly (1.9%).
• The number of reported juvenile arrests continued to decline(an average
of-7.8% annually since 2008).
II. Jail Utilization
ii. The adult incarceration rate at the Weld County Jail in 2014 YTD is
increasing at a higher rate than was predicted from the historical trend.
• The higher incarceration rate results in a larger average daily jail
population than forecast.
• The incarceration rate is independent from the general Weld County
population growth forecast by the Colorado State Demographer.
iii. The number of persons in custody awaiting felony case adjudication is the
most significant factor driving the higher incarceration rate.
• Persons in jail custody pending felony case adjudication can remain in jail
12-24 months awaiting case disposition
iv. 69.7% of persons booked into jail in 2014 YTD had been booked in before.
That's up from 65.9% in 2010.
4
• Women represent a growing percentage of adults booked into jail(23.1%
2010 vs. 26.4% 2014 YTD) and of the general jail population remaining in
custody(14.2% 2010 vs. 17.3% 2014 YTD).
III. Jail Alternatives
v. 40°A more defendants are likely to be ordered to Pretrial Services supervision
as a condition of their bond in 2014 than in 2012.
• 1,376 defendants in 2012 vs. an estimated 1,950 defendants in 2014.
vi. 46% of the 2,235 Pretrial Services supervision cases closed in 2013 were
felonies; 51% of the cases closed 2014 YTD are felony cases.
vii. The 2014 YTD average daily census in the Work Release Program (168.1) is
well below the prior four year average (185.5).
• Successful completion of persons at Work Release 2014 YTD declined to
80.1% from the prior four-year average of 85.5%.
There was discussion about the increase of female offenders. Judge Quammen noted
that most seem to be involved with fraud and drugs, as well as an increase in Work
Release regressions. There may not be a single solution but multiple factors. Sheriff
Reams stated from attending the New Sheriff's Institute that the increase in female
offenders is not necessarily specific to Weld County, but a statewide issue.
3. Roundtable:
A. Kendall Alexander, NRBH will be opening a facility in the South-West portion of the
county in Frederick on February 1, 2015. Services will be outpatient, including
medical.
B. Judge Quammen stated that the interactive video pilot with the DOC has been
successful. Additionally, this is being piloted with the Department of Youth
Corrections. Currently, 30-day notice must be given to arrange a video conference.
Ultimately, this will be available at all DOC facilities, as the Governor has ordered it
statewide. The interactive video is available at other county jails. The benefit of the
interactive video hearing would reduce lengthy and costly transportation of an
offender. Keith Coleman asked, "Why not just use Skype?" Karen Salaz explained
that the system goes through a judicial server, to have a bandwidth that does not
interfere with operations and it is secured. The Pueblo State hospital is looking to
acquiring similar audio/visual capabilities, which would be less disruptive to the
persons receiving treatment for Competency Hearings. Judge Quammen asked that
this item be continued for discussion at the next meeting and he and Ms. Salaz will
provide more details.
C. Judge Meyer stated that effective January 5; County Court Judges will be staffing a 4-
week rotation schedule and a weekly rotation for Bail Hearings. The Domestic
Violence Court was designed to be a fast-track specialty court; it was carrying a third
of the caseload size as compared to others. Additionally, defendants with multiple
cases will be heard out of one courtroom, which will reduce the transportation from
the jail and decrease FTA's. All the judges have been trained in Domestic Violence
5
and the diversified dockets will reduce possible burnout.
D. It was noted that the new Jail Based Behavioral Services (JBBS) grant funded
program has been slow to develop. This program is a partnership between the
Sheriff's Office, NRBH and Intervention Inc. The program has funding for five full-
time employees, but due to limited human resources, only one position has been filled
at this time.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:15 p.m. The next CJAC meeting will
be Tuesday April 14, 2015 at 12:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Reviewed by,/
Dianna Campbell Doug Erler
Pretrial Services Supervisor, Weld County Director, Weld County Justice Services
6
Hello