[Call to Order by Chair Judge Hidalgo]
[Approval of previous Meeting Minutes 09.18.20]
[Report from the Justice Administration Department on the Harris County Jail population followed by open discussion regarding recent jail population trends and the continued impacts of COVID-19 on our criminal justice system operations (10) (Part 1 of 2)]
[00:07:15]
>> THIS IS MUCH MORE EFFICIENT PROCESS DUE TO PANDEMIC WE MADE
[00:07:25]
IT HAPPEN QUICKLY. >> THANK YOU.
ANNETTE I WANT TO NOTE STEPHEN WILLIAMS AND MIKE NICHOLS HAVE
JOINED. >> I'M SURE FOLKS HAVE QUESTIONS. I WILL ALSO ASK JIM TO COVER YOU KNOW WHAT DO YOU THINK NEED TO HAPPEN FOR US TO GET THE POPULATION BACK ON A DOWNWARD TREND.
I THINK OBVIOUSLY THERE'S BEEN POSITIVE CHANGES.
BUT THERE'S STILL A WAYS TO GO. IF YOU GUYS CAN COVER THAT.
I WILL LET FOLKS ASK OTHER QUESTIONS FIRST.
>> >> JUDGE, IF THERE'S NO QUESTIONS, I THINK ONE OF THE AREAS THAT IN ORDER TO REALLY MEANINGFULLY ADDRESS THE JAIL POPULATION IS WE HAVE TO START CHIP -- [INAUDIBLE]
>> WE'VE BEEN HAVING MEETING WITH BOTH COUNTY CRIMINAL COURT AND CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURTS AND WE'RE ALSO COORDINATING IN REFERENCE THAT WHERE WE CAN HOLD JURY TRIALS.
WE'RE MOVING FORWARD ON THE JURY TRIALS.
NEEDLESS TO SAY THERE'S -- I THINK THE CLEARANCE RATE ABOUT 50%. UP FROM 20%.
BASICALLY IF WE GET CLEARANCE RATE UP TO 100%.
WE WILL HAVE A RATHER LARGE CASE BACKLOG.
BOTH LEVELS ARE AWARE OF THIS. THIS IS GOING TO NEED TO TAKE SOME MEANINGFUL COORDINATION WITH OUR OFFICE, THE COURTS, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, PUBLIC DEFENDERSES OF, SHERIFF'S OFFICE. WE'LL BE FACILITATING AND HOSTING THOSE MEETING. WE'VE HAD SOME THAT ARE READY.
REALLY TO MEANINGFULLY ADJUST THIS WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER AS A UNIT AND REALLY BEGIN TO START ECHOING THE BACKLOG AND THAT'S GOING TO ONLY BE ACCOMPLISHED WITH MEANINGFUL TRIALS.
>> MAY I SPEAK? >> YES, GO AHEAD.
>> WE CAN HEAR YOU. COMMISSION GARCIA HAS JOINED AS WELL. I WANTED TO NOTE THAT.
THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. >> THANK YOU.
YOUR HONOR IT'S CATHLEEN GRIFFIN.
[00:10:03]
AND WHAT I AM NOTICING WHEN DEFENDANTS ARE BEING ARRESTED, THAT NORMALLY THEY ARE NOT CHARGED WITH AND WE RESCUE THE VICTIMS. THEY ARE GETTING OUT AND GOING BACK TO ARREST THE VICTIMS FAMILY MEMBERS OR STOCK THE FACILITIES TO SEE WHERE THEY ARE.AND THEY SEND THREATENING MESSAGES.
I DON'T KNOW I KNOW SOME KIND OF SYSTEM HAS TO BE WORKED OUT.
BUT BEFORE WE CANNEN GET THEM TO WHERE THEY NEED TO BE THAT IS SAFE, THESE PREDATORS ARE OUT AND BACK AT IT AGAIN.
IT'S JUST KIND OF FRUSTRATING. I KNOW THAT THIS HUMAN TRAFFICKING PIECE SEXUAL EXPLOITATION PIECE HAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE. IT'S ON THE FRONT BURNER.
BUT I DO HAVE SOME SUGGESTIONS AND IDEAS OF WHAT CAN HAPPEN SINCE I'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR 18 YEARS.
YOU CAN KIND OF FIGURE OUT BECAUSE THEY CHANGE THEIR PROCEDURES AND THEY GOT THE GIRLS RECRUITING THE OTHER GIRLS. AND THOSE GIRLS GO TO JAIL JUST TO RECRUIT OTHER GIRLS OUT OF THE JAIL TO PUT THEMSELVES EXPLOITATION. IT'S REALLY BAD AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED IN SOME OF THE TREATMENT FACILITIES.
ONCE THE GIRL GET CAUGHT UP THEY ARE ALL FIGHTING FOR THE SAME POSITION TO BE NUMBER ONE WHICH THEY REFER AS THE BOTTOM GIRL.
I'M TRYING TO KEEP IT CLEAN. AND THAT BOTTOM GIRL DOESN'T HAVE PERFORM THESE SEXUAL ACTS ON DIFFERENT INDIVIDUALS.
SO OF COURSE THAT'S WHY THEY ARE ALL EAGER TO RECRUIT AND BRING OTHERS IN AND THE ORIGINAL PIMP DOESN'T HAVE TO GET ANY OF THE CHARGES BECAUSE THE GIRLS WHO WERE VICTIMS NOW TURNING VILLAIN ARE HAVING TO TAKE THE BRUNT OF THE FORCE FROM THE CHARGES.
IT'S HORRIBLE. THIS MIGHT BE OUT OF PLACE IN THIS MEETING. BUT I NEEDED TO SAY THAT.
>> CATHY, WE DO HAVE TO STICK TO AGENDA ITEMS. SO IF YOU COULD TIE THIS TO JAIL POPULATION I THINK WE CAN HAVE A DISCUSSION SO LONG AS THIS CONNECTED TO THE JAIL POPULATION
SIZE. >> THAT'S WHAT I WAS TRYING TO
>> THIS IS SHERIFF. I HAVE MORE OF A COMMENT.
I WANT TO THANK YOU KNOW THE PRESENTATION RIGHT NOW WITH THE GRAPHS. I THINK THEY SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES. I ALWAYS SAID WHEN WE LOOK AT THIS TYPE OF INFORMATION. IT'S NOT A JAIL ISSUE.
IT'S A CRIMINAL JUSTICE ISSUE. ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAD IN THE PAST A RELIEF VALVE IF YOU WILL THAT WE ALWAYS HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO ALWAYS, ALWAYS OUT SOURCE AN UNPOPULAR.
THAT'S NOT AVAILABLE ANYMORE. AND SO WE'RE REALLY IN A VERY PRECARIOUS SITUATION, BECAUSE WE'RE DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO CAPACITY. THEN IT JUST BECOMES A POINT WHERE LITERALLY HAVE TO SHUT THE DOORS.
AND YOU KNOW, I MEAN THAT'S NEVER GOOD AND A LOT OF QUESTIONS WILL BE ASKED A THAT POINT FROM THE COMMUNITY WHEN THEY SAY WHAT'S GOING ON. NOW PEOPLE THAT MAYBE DO NEED TO COME INTO THE SYSTEM, REALLY FOR WHATEVER REASON I MEAN WE'RE GOING TO BE FULL. WE'RE JUST GOING TO BE FULL CAPACITY. AND THE NUMBERS ARE BASICALLY TELLING US WHAT DIRECTION WE'RE GOING TO.
I KNOW THINGS KIND OF SHUTDOWN THE LAST FEW WEEKS OF THE MONTH.
I JUST WANT TO RAISE THAT ALARM A LITTLE BIT.
AGAIN IN, THE PAST WE WOULD BITE THE BULLET SO TO SPEAK AND TAKE THE PUNCHES AND, YOU KNOW BE ABLE TO OUT SOURCE A LITTLE BIT.
THAT WASN'T POPULAR. FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS THAT OPTION IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. AND SO WE REALLY NEED TO FIGURE SOMETHING OUT AND SUCH I WANTED TO THROW THAT OUT THERE.
WHAT IS CAPACITY SHERIFF? >> WE'RE BY ABOUT 10,000 IS MAX.
WHICH WE'RE ALL RIGHT CLOSE TO 9,000.
WE HAVEN'T HIT THE WEEKEND YET. AND YOU KNOW THERE'S SOMETIMES UPTICK JUST SEASONABLE CHANGES THAT HAPPEN.
I'M SURE THAT VIRGINIA, AND STEPHANIE COULD TALK TO SOME OF THE TRENDS THAT WE'VE SEEN IN PAST YEARS, BUT WE'RE VERY CLOSE THAT. IT LEAVES US LITTLE FLEXIBILITY ESPECIALLY AS WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT ALL YEAR EVEN WITH COVID WHICH IS STILL IN OUR MIDST.
WE HAVE EMPLOYEES HERE. WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT COME IN AND
[00:15:01]
OUT OF THE SYSTEM. WE HAVE JAIL TERM.IT'S JUST A VERY -- IT'S A PROBLEMATIC SITUATION AND IT TAKES ALL OF US STEPPING UP AND SEEING HOW WE COULD IMPACT THE INDIVIDUAL AREAS THAT WILL IMPACT THE BROADER SYSTEM COLLECTIVELY. I DON'T KNOW IF WE COULD TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT PEOPLE THAT ARE SENIOR ADULTS.
PEOPLE WITH SERIOUS UNDERLYING ISSUE THAT WE COULD TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.
MAYBE WE COULD YOU KNOW MAKE A LITTLE BIT OF ROOM TO JUST GIVE
US A LITTLE BIT OF CUSHION. >> IS THERE -- GO AHEAD.
>> I HAD A QUESTION CONCERNING -- ONE MENTION ABOUT PEOPLE ELDERLY AND MORE VULNERABLE FROM COVID BUT ALSO THOSE WITH LOW-RISK ASSESSMENT WHO MAY BE DETAINED PRETRIAL FOR FELONY CHARGE AND WHO CONSTITUTE -- WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE JAIL CURRENT JAIL POP LIST DO THEY CONSTITUTE? AND YOU KNOW HOW MANY BEDS COULD BE FREED UP.
HOW MUCH SPACE COULD BE FREED. AND HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE DETAINED BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY?
>> I KNOW AT ONE POINT WE HAD APPROXIMATELY 1,000 PEOPLE THAT HAD A BAIL 10,000 OR LESS. OBVIOUSLY THERE'S A LOT OF FACTORS THAT GO IN EACH CASE. VIRGINIA OR STEPHANIE, DO YOU KNOW HAVE YOU KIND OF DONE A CURSORY LOOK ON SOME OF THE RISK SCORES ON SOME OF THE INDIVIDUALS THAT MAY BE HERE? BECAUSE EVEN IF THEY ARE HERE ON FELONY MAY BE DRUG-RELATED CHARGES. BUT IT JUST CLASSIFIED AS FELONY. DO YOU HAVE ANY INPUT ON THAT?
>> YEAH. IT LOOKED LIKE THERE ARE 1,339 THAT ARE BELOW AVERAGE WITH THAT BEING SAID.
500 OF THEM MORE THAN LIKETY REASON THEY ARE STILL IN CUSTODY. SO THAT'S A CHALLENGE.
BECAUSE UNFORTUNATELY THOSE HOLDS DON'T TAKE INTO ACCOUNT
THE RISK LEVEL. >> AND THEN TO GET TO YOUR OTHER QUESTION ABOUT THE AGE, RIGHT NOW THERE ARE ABOUT 630 PEOPLE THAT ARE 58 AND OLDER WHICH IS HOW WE HAVE IT BROKEN DOWN FOR COVID. EVEN THAT NUMBER IS YOU KNOW RELATIVELY LARGE CONSIDERING HOW MUCH WORK WE BEEN TRYING TO DO TO GET THE POPULATION DOWN EVEN BEFORE COVID.
THE BOND AMOUNT IS HARDER TO FIGURE OUT JUST RIGHT THIS SECOND. I COULD WORK ON IT AND GET IT TO YOU AT SOME POINT. AFTER THIS.
>> CAN I ASK A FOLLOW QUESTION? >> YES, GO AHEAD.
THAT WAS JUST GIVEN THE OTHER SERVICES THAT HAVE TO BE PROVIDED IN THE JAIL INCLUDING MEDICAL SERVICES HARD TO PROVIDED A ADEQUATELY UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
THE RISE IN POPULATION IMPACT THE CAPACITY TO ADDRESS THOSE THINGS. WE NEED PEOPLE DETAINED.
>> WE'RE NOT CHALLENGED IN BEING ABLE TO DELIVER YOU KNOW ADEQUATE MEDICAL SERVICES. OBVIOUSLY YOU KNOW THE STAFF MORE STRAINED WHEN WE'RE AT FULLER CAPACITY AND THEN YOU KNOW THERE ARE THOSE THAT VIRGINIA, DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY WE HAVE IN KIND OF THAT ACUTE MEDICAL CARE RIGHT NOW?
IN OUR INFIRMY? >> I DON'T, BUT WE CAN GET IT.
>> WAS THERE SOMEONE ELSE THAT WANTED TO ASK A QUESTION?
>> GO AHEAD. >> I FIRST I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR IMPLEMENTATIONS THAT ALREADY BEEN MADE; RIGHT? BUT THE NUMBERS I'M GOING BACK TO RISK ASSESSMENT; RIGHT? SCORES. I READ ON SOME OF THE INFORMATION IN THE PACKET. WHERE THERE'S DIFFERENT TYPE OF RISK ASSESSMENTS BEING MADE. HOW DOES THAT -- HOW DOES EVERYBODY COME TOGETHER. BECAUSE TO IDENTIFY THAT THEY ARE ALL GETTING THE SAME RISK ASSESSMENT.
HOW IS THAT IMPACTING THEM? THE DEFENDANTS ARE BEING
RELEASED; RIGHT? >> THAT'S MY QUESTION ON THAT.
ALL THAT INFORMATION ACCURATE? BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE PEOPLE ARE A GROUP OF PEOPLE ONE RISK ASSESSMENT AND THE OTHER GROUP WILL BE LOOKING AT A DIFFERENT ONE; RIGHT? BECAUSE THE PROCESSING CENTER HAS ONE AND THE COURT HAS ANOTHER ONE. I'M JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT
[00:20:05]
>> PRETRIAL SERVICES THE PUBLIC SAFETY ASSESSMENT.
AND THAT'S THE RISK WE WERE REFERRING TO.
YOU'RE RIGHT THERE'S ALSO ANOTHER RISK ASSESSMENT THAT IS JAIL. THAT'S CLASSIFICATION.
VIRGINIA COULD PROBABLY SPEAK TO THAT.
>> THAT'S NOT SOMETHING I CAN SPEAK OF.
THE ASSESSMENT WE DO IN JAIL CLASSIFICATION IS INTERNAL.
IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH SOMEONE IS GETTING RELEASED OR NOT. IT'S JUST HOW WE HAVE -- THAT'S ALL RISK ASSESSMENT IS IN THE JAIL.
>> BUT THE RISK ASSESSMENT TO DETERMINE WHETHER THEY STAY IN THERE OR THEY QUALIFY FOR PR BOND OR NOT; IS THAT CORRECT?
>> THAT'S THE ONE PRETRIAL SERVICES DOES.
>> OKAY. I CAN SEND YOU MORE INFORMATION
I APPRECIATE THAT. I THINK THERE'S A PRESENTATION.
>> I'M TRYING TO REMEMBER THE DETAILS OF IT.
I MAY HAVE SOME INACCURATE. I REMEMBER THAT WE HAD LAUNCHED A PILOT PROJECT FOR ANKLE BRACELETS FOR JAIL POPULATION TO GET THE JUDGES TO DEFER THE INMATES TO YOUR CUSTODY.
NOT THE CUSTODY OF COUNTY JAIL. THAT'S THIS STATUTE.
AT LEAST IT WAS THEN. IT ALLOWED US TO PUT PEOPLE THAT COULD BE ON ANKLE BRACELETS, SHERIFF'S OFFICE WOULD HAVE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY OF FINDING AND REARRESTING VIOLATORS THE PROGRAM ITSELF. BUT WE DID A PILOT IN WORK OVER VERY, VERY SMALL NUMBER OF INMATES THAT WERE SENT TO US.
NOT ALL THE JUDGES PARTICIPATED. I THINK WE WOULD HAVE MORE THAT WOULD BE AMENABLE TO IT. I WOULD JUST SUGGEST MAYBE FINDING AND SEE IF IT'S APPLICABLE TODAY.
TO SEE IF THAT'S AN OPPORTUNITY. OR AT LEAST I THINK MY COLLEAGUES WOULD BE SUPPORTIVE. THE RESOURCES THAT YOU WOULD NEED TO MOVE THE PROGRAM FORWARD.
OBVIOUSLY, YOU CAN'T CLOSE YOUR DOORS AND BUT I THINK MAYBE THAT ANKLE BRACELET PROGRAM IN YOUR CUSTODY MAY BE AN OPPORTUNITY.
I KNOW COOKE COUNTY HAS A SIMILAR PROGRAM.
WE DON'T OPERATE THAT PROGRAM LOCALLY.
I BELIEVE IT'S UNDER THE PERVIEW OF PRETRIAL SERVICES.
MAYBE JIM OR SOMEONE ELSE COULD SPEAK TO THE CURRENT STATUS OF IT. I KNOW WE TAKE ANOTHER LOOK TO YOUR POINT TO SEE IF WE COULD SOMEHOW ENHANCE THE SAFE GUARDS AROUND IT. OBVIOUSLY, THERE'S A POLICY DECISION ON THAT AS WELL. BECAUSE SOMETIMES WE COULD OVERSUPERVISE SOMETIMES. WE'RE DEFINITELY OPEN TO WHAT COULD BE DONE IN THE JURISDICTION.
WE DON'T CURRENTLY OPERATE LIKE THAT.
>> I JUST WANTED TO SAY -- HOW ARE YOU DOING SHERIFF, HAPPY HOLIDAYS. .
>> GOOD, GOOD. >> I WAS THERE RELEASING RECENTLY AND I GOT TO SEE THE PROCESS WITH THE MONITORS PUT ON. WHAT YOU HAVE IN PLACE RIGHT NOW IN RELEASING THE BEST I'VE EVER SEEN AND YOU KNOW I'VE BEEN IN AND OUT. I NEVER SEEN ANYTHING RUN THAT SMOOTHLY. I WANTED TO COMPLIMENT YOU ON THAT IN THE PEOPLE WORKING THERE HAVE ADDRESS EVERYBODY TO SEE WHAT IT IS YOU NEED GIVEN THAT BEAUTIFUL.
I MEAN, THAT WAS OVER THE TOP. I WAS SO IMPRESSED.
I WANTED TO GIVE YOU ACCOLADES ON WORKING THAT OUT.
BECAUSE RELEASING HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE INCLUDING PUTTING THE MONITORS ON FOR DECADES. I LOOKS LIKE YOU FOUND THE FORMULA TO MAKE IT RUN SMOOTHLY.
>> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THAT.
THE MAJOR IS ON THE LINE HERE. HE APPRECIATES IT AS WELL.
>> THANK YOU. >> JIM, THE I KNOW YOU GUYS HAD MADE A PRESENTATION TO COMMISSION COURT.
THERE MAY BE A PRESENTATION TO BODY AS WELL ON THE THOUGHTS THAT JMI HAD AND JAB TO SOME EXTENT IN TERMS OF ADDITIONAL
[00:25:05]
STEP. I THINK EVERYBODY ACKNOWLEDGES HERCULIAN WORK. EVERYONE ACKNOWLEDGES HOW COMPLICATED AND NECESSARY THIS IS.I'M WONDERING IF JAB MAY BE ABLE TO WORK WITH STAKEHOLDERS AND COME BACK AND I COULD PUT THIS AS SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM FOR COMMISSIONEER COURT COME BACK THE SECOND PART IN JANUARY WITH A PLAN THAT EVERYBODY AGREES ON. I THINK THE ISSUE JAMA CAME BACK WITH AN IDEA JUST ERASED THE FOCUS THAT HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR OVER HOWEVER LONG; RIGHT? THERE'S LOGIC TO IT.
MY SENSE IS THAT'S NOT PALATABLE TO THE GROUP.
THAT'S WHY IT HAS PRESIDENT BEEN DONE.
WHAT CAN BE DONE. WHAT DO FOLKS AGREE ON.
WHAT IS PRETRIAL DOING. WHAT ABOUT THE ANKLE MONITORS THAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA BROUGHT UP? WHAT SPOFK STEP CAN YOU AGREE ON MAJOR SURE THAT WE KNOW AT COURT AND THEY KNOW WHEN IT COMES TIME TO MEET AGAIN SO THAT WE DON'T JUST THIS CONVERSATION OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
LET'S KEEP WORKING. YES, LET'S.
AND WE'RE NOT SURE WHETHER WE ARE GOING IN THAT DIRECTION OR
I LOOK AT THIS IN TWO FACES. ONE THE COMMENT SHERIFF GONZALEZ SAID AND HISTORICALLY THE POPULATION DOES INCREASE IN DECEMBER. I WILL GO AHEAD AND GET A MEETING CONVENED NEXT WEEK TO SEE IF WE CAN PROVIDE SOME IMMEDIATE KIND OF MARK RELIEF. THE NUMBERS THAT VIRGINIA RAISES IF WE HAVE YOU KNOW 1,000 PERSONS WITH A LOW HISTORY SCORE, BUT THEN THERE'S 500 HOLDS HOPEFULLY THOSE OTHER 500 ARE SUBJECT TO THE CRIME AND VIOLENCE OF 25 YEARS.
WHICH STILL LEGALLY THEN WE CAN'T RELEASE.
WE'LL GET KIND D.A. OFFICE PUBLIC DEPENDER PRETRIAL SERVICES COME TOGETHER. PRETRIAL SERVICES RIGHT NOW IS GOING FULL SPEED AHEAD, REVIEWING POLICIES KIND OF MAKING THE OFFICE SO IT CAN BE ADDRESSED UP VIRTUALLY.
WE'RE LOOKING AT THE ELECTRONIC MONITORING GPS.
AGAIN WE'RE CLOSELY WITH THE COURTS.
AND SO WE WILL BE ABLE TO ASSIST IN THAT AND PROVIDE SOME KIND OF MEANINGFUL INFORMATION BACK TO SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
AGAIN, THE SHERIFF ALL OF H WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THOSE THAT WE RELEASED WERE ABLE TO PROPERLY SUPERAND ALL THAT.
WE'LL DO EMERGENCY KIND OF MEETING NEXT WEEK.
TO MAYBE PROVIDE SOME RELIEF DURING THE SEPTEMBERER TIME FRAME AND THAT SECOND COURT IN JANUARY COME BACK WITH PRIOR REVISED PLAN FROM WHAT JMI PRESENTED.
AGAIN KIND WITH THE SAME STAKE OLDERS.
WE'RE BASICALLY PRECOVID NUMBERS NOW.
THERE'S JUST NOT ANY ADDITIONAL THIS HAS ARISEN TO CRISIS AND
EMERGENCY. >> I KNOW YOU CAN ASK US IF THERE'S SUPPORT THAT IS NEEDED ON THE PART OF THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT. BUT I THINK THAT'S REALLY THE URGENCY FOR MY PARTY ANYWAY. I KEEP HEARING THE ISSUE.
I WANT TO BE HELPFUL. IT'S UNCLEAR HOW YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS THAT YOU GUY NEED AND SORT OF WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEP THAT
YOU FOLKS AGREE ON. >> CAN I JUST ADD, JIM WHEN YOU LOOK AT OPTIONS FOR RESOURCES THAT CAN HELP IMPACT THIS SITUATION THAT'S DRIVING DOWN THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS IN JAIL. WOULD YOU ALSO CONSIDER THE RESOURCE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH ADDICTION ISSUES.
WE HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF WORKING WITH THE DRUG PROGRAM INSIDE THE JAIL. WE KNOW YOU DO AN INCREDIBLE JOB. BUT THERE MAY BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE OUT EARLIER OR DIVERT THEM.
WE WORK WITH DIVERSION COURTS. WE'RE EVEN IN PROBATION NOW.
CONSIDER US AS AN OPTION WHEN YOU LOOK ALTERNATE POSSIBLE RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY THAT COULD HELP DECREASE THE POPULATION INTO JAIL. THANK YOU.
[00:30:03]
I THINK THOSE ARE SOME REALLY GREAT IDEA TO LOOK INTO.I WAS GOINGS TO MENTION 1,339 THAT ARE BELOW AVERAGE.
THE 500 THAT HAVE HOLDS, ARE THEY HOLDS BECAUSE THEY ARE ON PAROLE? OR IMMIGRATION STATUS OR WHAT IS THAT? WHAT ARE THERE HOLDS; IF YOU DON'T KNOW, THAT'S OKAY. BUT THE IF THEY ARE LIKE ON PAROLE OR SOMETHING AND IT COULD BE SOMETHING MINOR AS SHERIFF GONZALEZ MENTIONED EARLIER. IS THERE ANY WAY THE PO ROLE OFFICERS ARE ABLE TO VISIT THEM? AND SEE IF THE PROCESS COULD BE
MOVED A LITTLE BIT FASTER? >> I DON'T HAVE THE STATUS IN FRONT OF ME ON THE SPECIFIC HOLDS.
I WILL CIRCLE BACK BOTH WITH STEPHANIE AND VIRGINIA AFTER THIS KIND OF BREAK OUT WHAT THOSE HOLDS ARE SPECIFICALLY FOR. THAT'S VERY GOOD POINT.
>> JIM, JUST SORRY. I WANT TO TELL YOU QUICKLY.
THAT INCLUDES ALL HOLDS. THAT'S PROBATION, PAROLE, IMMIGRATION, IF YOU HAVE AN OUNLT OF COUNSELEE THAT'S ALL GOLD TOGETHER. I'M NOT SURE IF YOU HEARD ME.
THAT'S THE PRO SETHS -- PROCESS WE HAVE GOING EVERY DAY.
THE LIST IS 68 PEOPLE FOR THAT EXACT REASON.
THAT NUMBER ACTUALLY WOULD BE A LOT BIGGER IF WE HADN'T SET THAT UP. PAROLE WE'RE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION FOR SURE. WE'VE SEEN DECREASE IN THE NONE OF JAIL SINCE MARCH. THANK YOU, VA.
>> LET'S TAKE THEM ONE AT A TIME.
AND THIS -- LET'S TRY AND JUST CRANK THIS OUT TO GET TO OTHER
DISCUSSION ITEMS. >> THE BY LAWS I'M HAPPY TO TAKE
[Discussion and possible action regarding the approval of the Proposed Amendments to the CJCC Bylaws (5)]
THAT. THIS IS LITERALLY HOUSEKEEPING.IT MORE TRAINS WHEN THE FIRST MEETING OF THE YEAR WILL BE.
WHEN WE MAKE THE OFFICER AND SO THESE CHANGES ARE ON BETWEEN 17 AND 27. WE TALKED WITH MEMBERS WHATEVER ISSUES WE REALLY TRIED TO GET RESOLVED.
AND BASICALLY THE NEXT MEETING OF THE YEAR WOULD BE IN MARCH.
THAT'S WHEN WE WOULD NOMINATE OUR SLATE OF OFFICERS THEN WITH THE PRESENT IN THE NEXT QUARTERLY MEETING IN JANUARY.
I DON'T CONSIDER THE CHANGES WE'RE PROPOSE STWANLTTY REALLY KIND OF HOUSE KEEPING TO GET US BACK ON SCHEDULE.
THAT'S WERE -- ALSO DID THIS IN CONSULTATION WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. I WOULD MOVE TO APPROVE THE BYLAWS. MOVE TO APPROVE CJCC AMENDMENTS.
ON PAGES 19, 20 AND 21 OF OUR MEETING NOTEBOOK.
>> IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND.
>> ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR?
ANY OPPOSED? >> MOTION CARRIES.
>> THE NEXT ONE WOULD BE BRANDI EBANKS SHE WILL TALK
RACIAL ETHNIC DISPARITY. >> FIRST WE NEED TO REVIEW THE
[Discussion and possible action regarding the approval of the Proposed CJCC Meeting Schedule for 2021 (5)]
MEETING SCHEDULE. I HAD THAT UP FOR VOTE.>> I'M SORRY. I SKIPPED THAT ONE.
WE SET UP THE SCHEDULE BASED ON WHAT APPROVED NOVEMBER WHICH AGREED UPON FOUR MEETING. TWO HOURS A PIECE.
MEETING DATE MARCH 11TH. MAY 28TH DECEMBER 9TH.
[INAUDIBLE] I THINK FROM THE CONVERSATIONS I'VE HAD AN HOUR AND A HALF SORT OF WORKS BETTER FOR PEOPLE.
WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO GET A QUORUM AND HAVE THE DISCUSSION.
MY FEAR IF WE KEEP THEM TOO LONG, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO LEAVE
[00:35:01]
EARLY ANYWAY. OR THEY MAY NOT SHOW UP AND THEN JUST SPECIAL A SPECIAL FORUM TO HAVE SO MANY KEY PLAYERS.I WILL SAY I'M TRYING TO KEEP IT TWO AN HOUR AND A HALF.
HOPEFULLY THAT ENCOURAGES FOLKS TO COME BY TO KNOW THAT'S WHAT
>> DO YOU WANT ME TO AMEND FOR 12:30 TO 2:00.
>> THIS IS JUST CONVERSATIONS I'VE HAD WITH PEOPLE HERE AND THERE. DOES ANYBODY -- LOOK I'M EASY TO BE AVAILABLE TO TWO HOURS. I JUST KNOW HOW BUSY EVERYONE IS. AND I WANT TO ASSURE THAT FOLKS DO ACTUALLY COME TO THESE CONTINUE TO COME TO THESE.
>> IS THERE A PREFERENCE FOR AN HOUR AND A HALF OR TWO HOURS?
>> I AGREE WITH YOU. I THINK AN HOUR AND A HALF IS PLENTY OF TIME. WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE'RE EFFECTIVE WITH THAT TIME. AND MAYBE MAKE SURE THAT THE PRESENTATION AREN'T LENGTHY. AND HAVE AMPLE TIME FOR DISCUSSION. I THIS TWO HOURS MAY BE TOO LONG. I'M OKAY WITH AN HOUR AND A HALF. AND I'M GOOD WITH THE DATES IF
EVERYONE ELSE IS. >> IS THERE IN FORM OF MOTION TO
GO FROM 12:30 TO 2:00 P.M.? >> YES.
I WILL MAKE THAT MOTION. WITH THE REVISION SUGGESTED BY JUDGE HIDALGO TO 12:30 TO 2:00 INSTEAD OF 2:30.
>> I WILL SECOND THAT. >> OKAY WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. I SAW A LOT OF PEOPLE NODDING.
I THINK THAT'S A GOOD SIGN. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> I THINK COMMISSIONER GUARD WANTS S LONGER MEETING.
>> YEAH. >> I WANT DISCUSSION -- [LAUGHTER] ON THE PLAQUE BEHIND THE SHERIFF. I THINK IT'S TOO SMALL.
I WANT A STUDY DONE AND JUDGE WITH WE PUT AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA. WE SHOULD PROBABLY HAVE AN EMERGENCY MEETING. [LAUGHTER]
LO LOOKS LIKE THE MOTION CARRIES.
[Discussion and possible action regarding the approval of the Proposed Structure and Committee roles/responsibilities for the Racial & Ethnic Disparities Committee (10)]
NEXT IS ITEM 6 WHICH IS ON THE RACIAL ETHNIC DISPARITIES COMMITTEE. YES.GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYBODY. I WILL BE BRIEF SO WE CAN MOVE QUICKLY. TODAY WE'RE FOLLOWING UP ON THE REQUEST FROM THE LAST -- OUR LAST MEETING AROUND WANTING TO PROVIDE SOME CHANGES TO THE PREVIOUS RACIAL AND ETHNIC DISPARITY COMMITTEE. IN THE PROCESS WE CONDUCTED A STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEW. AND REACHED OUT TON OF PEOPLE AND THANKS FOR ALL THOSE THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE OFFICIAL AND THE UNOFFICIAL CONVERSATION RELATED TO THIS PROPOSED SHIFT.
ALSO JUST WANT TO THANK JMI AS WELL THE INSTITUTE FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE. AND VERY HIGH LEVEL FROM ALL OF OUR STAKEHOLDERS INTERVIEWS WITH BOTH ORGANIZATIONS, AND THE COMMUNITY-BASED ADVOCACY BASED AND EVEN SOME COUNTY STAKEHOLDERS. WE HEARD THE COMMUNITY LED AND REALLY SHIFTING FROM THERE. IF YOU WERE AWARE OF PREVIOUS COMMITTEE WAS LARGE AND A MAJORITY COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES.
THERE'S SOME CONSENSUS ABOUT SHIFTING THERE.
AS WELL AS HAVING CLEAR ALIGNMENT BETWEEN THIS BODY AND THE COMMITTEE, FOLKS OFTEN ARE DESCRIBED THE PREVIOUS RELATIONSHIP DISJOINTED AND NOT NECESSARILY ACROSS THE TWO ENTITIES. THIRD WAS REALLY A PUSH TO NOT JUST HAVE INITIATIVE COME ABOUT AND BE STARTED BY THE COMMON STAKEHOLDERS, BUT REALLY PROVIDE SUPPORT AND CAPACITY TO COMMUNITIES THAT LEAD THEIR OWN AND COME UP WITH THEIR OWN INITIATIVE AND SUPPORT THERE. BOTH THROUGH FINANCIAL SUPPORT AS WELL AS BEING TRANSPARENT AND EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT.
ALL OF THOSE THINGS WE TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION.
FINAL SHIFT HAPPENING AROUND THE SAFETY.
[00:40:03]
SPECIFICALLY IN HARRIS COUNTY FOR US IT'S AROUND NAMING WHAT OUR ULTIMATE GOAL LIKE OUR DESIRED OUTCOME IS.IT'S NOT ONE OF RACIAL AND ETHNIC DISPARITY.
IT'S RACIAL AND ETHNIC EQUITY. WE PROPOSE A NAME SHIFT TEMPORARILY UNTIL THE COMMITTEE IS SEATED ITSELF AND CAN GO WITH A NAME THEY FEEL FITS THEIR WORK.
NEXT SLIDE. THEN YOU WILL SEE PROPOSED STRUCTURE SHIFTS. ONE IS REALLY AROUND THE NUMBER OF FOLKS THAT CAN SIT ON THAT COMMITTEE.
THIS IS BASED ON FEEDBACK WE RECEIVED FROM THE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. WE WILL BE LIMITED AT 17 VOTING MEMBERS. THE MAKEUP OF THE MEMBERS.
THE TOP TWO REFLECT A SHIFT IN POWER.
ACKNOWLEDGING THE MAJORITY OF THE SEATS, 13 WILL GO TO COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS AND THAT INCLUDES INDIVIDUALS ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS AND REPRESENTATIVES IN ORDER TO SEAT THOSE INDIVIDUALS, WE ARE PROPOSING AND REQUESTING AND THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS AGREED UPON AS WELL.
A PUBLIC PROCESS. SO THAT EVERYONE CAN HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE PART OF THIS COMMITTEE.
AND WE WILL WORK WITH ALL OF YOU TO REVIEW APPLICATIONS AND ENSURE THAT THE COMMITTEE IS REPRESENTED WELL.
BUT WE WANT TO OPEN THE DOORS AND HAVE EQUITABLE ACCESS.
THE SECOND BULLET. GOING TO AGENCY AND DEPARTMENT.
AGENCIES WERE NAMED IN FRONT OF OUR ENGAGEMENT PROCESS AS AGENCIES THAT FOLKS FELT LIKE THEY COULDN'T MOVE FORWARD WITHOUT AND ALSO WE'RE WILLING AND OPEN TO THINKING THROUGH AND BUILDING COMMUNITY-BASED INTERVENTIONS THAT BOTH MITIGATE PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERNS BUT ALSO EDUCATION AND HOW THE SYSTEM IS FUNCTIONING. AND THE LAST PIECE IS REALLY A RECOMMENDATION AROUND ENSURING COORDINATION BETWEEN THE COMMITTEE AND THE COUNCIL SO WE ARE ALSO REQUESTING THAT THE COMMITTEE HAVE A STANDARD AGENDA ITEM ON ALTERNATE THESE AT THEE MEETING SO YOU CAN CLEAR OF THE INITIATIVES AND THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT ARE BEING PROPOSED.
WHEN YOU DON'T SEE ON THIS SLIDE.
I WILL QUICKLY RUN THROUGH IS THAT WE'RE ALSO BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS THAT WILL BE SEATED ON THIS COMMITTEE. THERE'S MORE TO COME.
WE BUILDING THAT AS WE SPEAK. LIKEWIDE WE ARE ALSO CONTINUING TO PUSH FUNDING TOWARD THIS COMMITTEE SO THEY MAKE DECISIONS AROUND INTERVENTION, INITIATIVES THAT THEY FEEL ARE PART OF THE LARGER PUBLIC SAFETY SYSTEM. ALL OF THAT IS KIND OF MORE.
WE JUST WANT TO PUT IN FRONT OF YOU ALL THE STRUCTURE FOR YOUR
APPROVAL. >> I WILL TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU JUDGE. I BELIEVE [INAUDIBLE] I WILL COME BACK WITH BRIEF UPDATE ON GRANTS. ALREADY, ARE THERE ANY
QUESTIONS? >> I HAVE A STATEMENT.
I JUST WANT TO THANK BRANDI AND HER TEAM FOR REACHING OUT TO MULTIPLE STAKEHOLDERS AND LISTENING AND I THINK THAT THE NAME CHANGE IS SIGNIFICANT. AN IMPORTANT TOWARD GETTING US TOWARD MORE EQUITABLE SYSTEM. THANK YOU.
OKAY. HOW WILL THE 13 VACANCIES BE
IT WILL BE PUBLIC PROCESS THAT WE'RE HOPING TO COORDINATE WITH ALL OF THE PRECINCTS TO GET OUT PUBLICLY STARTING IN JANUARY.
WE KNOW WE'RE IN A BIT OF ZED ZONE AS FAR AS TIMING OF THE YEAR. MORE TO COME DIRECTLY TO EACH OF THE PRECINCTS AND THE JUDGE TO YOUR OFFICE AS WELL AROUND MAKING SURE THOSE SEATS ARE FILLED REPRESENTATIVE FROM
[00:45:01]
HARRIS COUNTY BUT REALLY REPRESENTING AS WELL.>> THIS, THIS BODY WOULD LIKE TO BE INVOLVED IN THAT, SHOULD THEY
REACH OUT TO CHAD? >> YES, THEY CAN REACH MYSELF
DIRECTLY OR WHATEVER WORKS BEST. >> I HAVE A QUESTION.
I SEE THAT -- AS YOU MENTIONED RIGHT THERE'S AN OPEN APPLICATION PROCESS. WILL THAT BE ON JADS WEB SITE.
>> YES, WE'RE WORKING WITH COMMUNICATION AS WE SPEAK TO PLAN FOR THE PROCESS. IT'S GOING TO BE PUBLICIZED.
LIKELY BE ON THE WEB PAGE AND SOCIAL MEDIA AND WE'RE ALSO GOING TO REACH OUT TO OTHER DEPARTMENT TO MAKE SURE IT'S
AND YOU SAID -- >> I HAVE A QUESTION.
ON THE PROCESS, WHAT WOULD BE DISQUALIFYING FACTOR FOR SOMEONE THAT WOULD BE TRYING TO GET ON THE COMMITTEE IF YOU KNOW THAT
ANSWER? >> I CAN'T SAY THAT THERE'S A DISQUALIFYING FACTOR. I CAN TELL YOU WHO THEY ARE PRIORITIZING. ONE OF THOSE FOLK WITH EXPERIENCE IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
AND THEN PEOPLE ALSO REPRESENTATION OF THE COUNTY ITSELF.
WE WANT THE COMMITTEE TO REFLECT WHAT HARRIS COUNTY LOOKS LIKE IN REALITY. I CAN'T SAY THAT WE WILL BE ELIMINATING FOLKS. I CAN SAY WE WILL PRIORITIZE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THAT'S AWESOME.
THANK YOU. >> IT'S NOT CLEAR TO ME WHO THE SELECTION COMMITTEE IS. BUT I'M ASSUMING JAD WILL HAVE A PROCESS AND THEY WILL INCLUDE THE CJCC MEMBERS THAT WILL BE
AND ESSENTIALLY JAD IS BUILDING OUT THE PROCESS FOR SELECTION.
WE'LL REACH OUT TO SEE WHO WANTS TO SERVE ON THE COMMITTEE.
WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS COMFORTABLE WITH THE PROPOSED STRUCTURE BEFORE WE STARTED THE APPLICATIONS.
>> LET US KNOW AGAIN COMMISSIONER COURT IF WE COULD BE SUPPORTIVE WITH ANYTHING ON THIS.
YOU GUYS NEED A MOTION ON THIS? >> YES.
I BELIEVE SO. DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED STRUCTURE AND COMMITTEE ROLLS AS WELL AS NAME
CHANGE OF THE KEY? >> I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE COMMITTEE AND THE NAME CHANGE.
>> THIS ED GONZALEZ. I SECOND THAT.
THE PROVISIONS AS PROPOSED. >> ANY DISCUSSION FOR THE COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? ALL IN FAVOR?
WE'RE ABOUT TO HEAD INTO THE ITEM 7 PROPOSED STRUCTURE FOR
[Update on Survivors of Crime work, including the services assessment, and outreach to members on next steps for the committee structure (15)]
SURVIVORS OF CRIME COMMITTEE. LET'S GO AHEAD WITH THAT ONE.>> GOOD AFTERNOON. WE WILL TALK ABOUT THE EFFORTS LOOKING AT SOLUTIONS AND POLICY TO ADDRESS THE GAPS TO AGAIN BETTER SERVE OUR SURVIVORS OF CRIME.
ADDITIONALLY WE DO PREVENTION REPORT.
JAD PRODUCING REPORT BEST PRACTICES DEVELOPING IMPLEMENTING VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAMS -- ANALYZING THE FEASIBILITY AND COST OF CREATING NEW COUNTY LEVEL AGENCY OR PROGRAM TO ADDRESSING CYCLE OF VIOLENCE IN THE COMMUNITY. IN ADDITION TO, THAT ALONG WITH THAT THE VIOLENCE INSTRUCTION AND PILOT PROGRAM.
JAD IN THE PROCESS OF ASSESSING THE PROCESS TO DEVELOP COUNTY LEVEL FOR AGENCY RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPLEMENTING THE ABOVE PROGRAMS TO REDUCE VIOLENCE. WE WILL DRAW ON INCITES FROM OTHER PROGRAMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY FOR THE APPROPRIATE EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAM AND INTERVENTION TO REDUCE THE RATE
[00:50:03]
OF HOMICIDE AND THE CRIME RATE IN HARRIS COUNTY.NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. JAD HAS BEGUN TO EXAMINE THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS TO DETERMINE EVIDENCE BASED POLICIES TO BETTER SUPPORT SURVIVORS OF CRIME.
TO PROTECT VICTIMS OF CERTAIN QUALIFYING CRIMES FOR EXAMPLE TRAFFICKING AND THOSE FEARFUL OF POLICE DUE TO IMMIGRATION STATUS. ONE OF THE REQUIREMENTS IS FOR I-19-18-P B LAW ENFORCEMENT. THEY REVIEW POLICY TO BETTER ASSIST SURVIVORS OF CRIME. LASTLY WE'RE LOOKING INTO RECOVERY CENTER. THERE'S 35 EVIDENCE-BASED RECOVERY CENTER NATIONWIDE. CRIME OF TRAUMA AND CYCLES OF VIOLENCE. THEY ARE LOOKING TO SERVE BETTER PARTICULARLY THOSE IN UNDER SERVED COULDN'T.
LASTLY I WILL SAY ON NOVEMBER 14TH, 2019 THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COORDINATING COUNCIL VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO CREATE SURVIVOR STANDING COMMITTEE AND I WILL REACH OUT TO CJCC MEMBERS TO GET THEIR FEEDBACK ON THIS PROPOSED COMMITTEE SO I CAN CONTINUE THE PROPOSE MEMBERSHIP AT THE NEXT MEETING.
THANK YOU >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THAT'S FANTASTIC WORK. DO FOLKS HAVE QUESTIONS OR
I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER MY SUPPORT ON THE PROCESS AND SUPPORTING YOU AND TALKING TO EXPERTS AROUND THE COUNTRY THAT MIGHT BE ABLE TO GIVE YOU SOME GOOD INFORMATION.
>> THANK YOU. >> I WANT TO BE ABLE TO HELP WITH THE TRAFFICKING PART AND THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS INCLUDED IN A LOT OF THE SEX INDUSTRY WORKERS.
I JUST WANT TO BE AN INTRICATE PART OF THAT.
I WANT TO THANK THE TWO LADIES FOR COMING TO THE GROUP ON WEDNESDAY TO GET TO SEE AND HEAR ALL OF THE STORIES OF THE SURVIVORS. I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR TAKING THE TIME OUT TO STAY THAT ENTIRE LONG TIME TO HEAR ALL OF THAT. THANK YOU.
LET US KNOW IF YOU NEED SUPPORT FOR THIS OR IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S MOVING. FOLKS, JIM, IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE
THERE'S BOTTLENECKS. >> I'M SUPER PLEASED.
VERONYKA IS ONLY BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR A MONTHS.
SHE IS CRANKING. THIS STARTING TO COME TOGETHER.
I'M EXCITED AND SUPERPLEASED WITH THE WORK VERONYKA AND HER CON SULTANT AND EVERYONE ON THE TEAM.
WE'RE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DESTRUCTION IN GETTING SOMETHING
DONE WITH THIS. >> LET IT KNOWN THAT VERONYKA IS ON FIRE FOR THIS CAUSE. I'M SO ECSTATIC.
SHE'S ON FIRE. BEST EYE SEEN IN A LONG TIME.
>> I THINK SOMEONE WAS SPEAKING AS WELL?
>> I'M SORRY. WE NEED TO GO BACK TO BRANDI.
SHE WANTED TO UPDATE ON THE MICRO GRANTS.
JUST A BRIEF UPDATE FOR EVERYONE.
>> SORRY, EVERYONE. >> SORRY BRANDI.
IS THERE ANYTHING ON THIS SURVIVORS OF CRIME ITEM OR DO WE
NEED A MOTION? >> JUST AN UPDATE FOR CJCC SO WE DON'T NEED A MOTION ON THIS ITEM.
>> OKAY. >> SHERIFF, WERE YOU GOING TO
ADD SOMETHING? >> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES. >>, WAY PRESIDENTED TELL VERONYKA IF THERE'S ANYONE WE CAN DO ALTERNATE THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THE NEW VISA PROGRAM.
WE MADE SURE THAT WE WERE MUCH MORE FLEXIBILITY IN APPROVING THE LAW ENFORCEMENT CERTIFICATION.
AND I'M ALWAYS ENCOURAGING THE USE OF IT WHEN IT'S APPROPRIATE.
AND WE COULD BE HELPFUL. WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY ON OUR SIDE OF IT. BUT WE COULD DO BETTER.
WHATEVER WE CAN COEXPAND THAT. WE'RE ALL IN.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LOOKING AT BEST PRACTICING.
I HOPE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO TRACK OUTCOMES AS WELL AS YOU DEVELOP THE PROGRAM SO WE CAN FIGURE OUT IF WE'RE BEING SUCCESSFUL.
SO OKAY GOING BACK TO VERY BRIEF UPDATE ON THE MICRO GRANTS.
[00:55:05]
THAT'S ON THE PREVIOUS ITEM. >> YES.
I JUST WANT TO SHARE WITH ALL OF YOU BACK IN OCTOBER THAT PUT AN RFP TO FUND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT GRANTS TO BUILD CAPACITY OF COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS WE RECEIVED 9 EXCELLENT PROPOSAL AND I JUST WANT TO THANK THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE AND MEMBERS OF THE CJCC THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND CSD THAT HAVE SERVED ON THE SELECTION COMMITTEE.
WE'RE DOWN TO FIVE PROPOSALS THAT WILL BE GOING INTO PRESENTATION ROUND. WE WILL ANNOUNCE THAT SOON.
AND THEN JUST AS THE BIG FYI TO EVERYONE.
YESTERDAY RELEASED ANOTHER REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL TODAY TO CONDUCT THE RACIAL AND ETHNIC STUDY SO IT'S PUBLIC ON PURCHASING WEB SITE WILL BE RELEASING A PRESS RELEASE WITH MORE DETAILS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. WE'VE GOT THREE BRIEF PRESENTATIONS. SORT OF STATUS REPORTS AND BEFORE I GET TO THAT. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE AND
[Report from the Justice Administration Department on the Harris County Jail population followed by open discussion regarding recent jail population trends and the continued impacts of COVID-19 on our criminal justice system operations (10) (Part 2 of 2)]
THE FIRST ITEM WAS ON THE JAIL POPULATION AND ALSO IMPACTS OF COVID-19 ON THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.I KNOW WE DIDN'T REALLY -- IT'S RELATED.
BUT I WANTED TO MAKE SURE AND ASK THE QUESTION IF THERE'S ANYTHING FOLKS WOULD LIKE TO ADD OR DISCUSS IN TERMS OF THE COVID-19 IMPACT ON THE SYSTEM; SEEING AS WE HAVE EVERYBODY WE HAVE THIS UNIQUE FORUM. IS THERE ANYTHING WE MISSED?
>> CAN I ASK THE SHERIFF ONE QUICK QUESTION.
SHERIFF, ARE YOU THERE? >> YES.
GO AHEAD. >> I WANTED TO ASK WHEN SOMEONE IS BEING RELEASED. ARE THESE INMATES ARE THEY GETTING TESTED FOR COVID BEFORE -- WHEN THEY GET RELEASED AND I HAVE A COURT ORDER TO TRANSPORT TO A FACILITY, DO THEY HAVE RESULTS IS THAT NOT ANYTHING THAT'S IN PLACE AS OF
IT'S BEEN IN PLACE. I KNOW IT'S DEFINITELY REQUIREMENT FOR THE STATE READY INDIVIDUALS.
MAJOR, ARE YOU ON THE LINE? >> YOU MAY BE MUTED.
DON'T KNOW WHERE HE IS. WE ARE TESTING OVER 90% IN THE FACILITIES. MOST HAVE BEEN TESTED MOST
LIKELY. >> FOR EXAMPLE I PICK SOMEONE AND THE JUDGES CALL ME TO INTO THE SPECIAL RELEASE TO TREATMENT. IS THERE ANYWAY I CAN HAVE A RESULT. BECAUSE SOMETIMES THEY WILL TELL ME, WELL THEY CAN'T COME UNTIL THEY GET THE RESULT.
IS THERE SOMEONE RELEASED ON SPECIAL INSTRUCTION THAT IS GOING INTO A FACILITY I CAN HAVE A PAPER OR WHOEVER DOES THE TRANSPORTING CAN PRESENT THAT KNOW THEY'VE BEEN TESTED.
THAT'S ALL I'M SAYING. VIRGINIA COORDINATING WITH THE JUDGE. IT'S SOMETHING THEY REQUIRE TO MAKE SURE WE WORK OUT THE PROCESS WITH DR. BROWN THAT'S INFECTION DISEASE RESPONSE TEAM. WE COULD PROVIDE SOMETHING.
I DON'T KNOW IF VIRGINIA HAS ANYTHING?
>> I WORKED ON A COUPLE OF PEOPLE AT THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS OF WHO REACHED OUT TO ME. AND IF YOU E-MAIL, I WILL PUT MY IMALE. I WILL E-MAIL TO YOU.
I'M HAPPY TO TRY TO HELP. >> OKAY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. BECAUSE IF I HAVE COURT ORDER AND THEY HAVE TO GO THERE AND THEN THEY TELL ME I CAN'T BRING THEM UNTIL THE TEST IS DONE IT HAS FALLEN BELIEVE ON ME TO PAY FOR WHERE THEY STAY UNTIL I GET THEM IN.
>> IT'S A LITTLE BIT COMPLICATED.
BECAUSE OF THE TIMING OF IT. BUT WE CAN WORK ON IT AND TRY TO
>> THANK YOU. >> THE NEXT ITEM IS THERE IF ANYONE THINK OF TOPIC RELATED TOCOID OR ANYTHING WE SHOULD BE
[Annual Report from the Mental Health Standing Committee (20)]
AWARE OF. WE'VE GOT ABOUT 25 MINUTES AND TRYING PRESENTATIONS. FOLKS COULD KEEP IT TO AROUND 8 MINUTES WE'LL BE ABLE TO GET THROUGH IT ON TIME.[01:00:03]
>> I WILL JUMP IN AND GET STARTED.
WE WILL MAKE SURE EVERYONE GET THE SLIDE IF YOU DON'T HAVE THEM SO YOU CAN READ THEM. THERE'S A FEW KEY POINTS I WANT TO MENTION. WE DID COMPLETE AN EXTERNAL EVALUATION THROUGH THE FIRST TWO YEAR.
DIVERGENT CENTER DID DIVERT ON PRECHARGE BASIS.
THAT WAS IMPACTED NEGATIVELY DURING THE SECOND YEAR BECAUSE OF THE COVID. IT WAS 1800 THE FIRST YEAR ABOUT 1200 THE SECOND YEAR. THE JUSTICE DID THE EVALUATION.
SEVERAL KEEP FINDING WERE MET. THERE WAS 50% REDUCTION IN BOOKING FEES. THE GROUP COMPARED TO THEMSELVES. LOOK AT DIVERSION GROUP COMPARED TO CONTROL GROUP. ADJUSTED TO CREATE CONSISTENCY BETWEEN THE TWO GROUPS OVERALL. IMPACT WHERE THINGS WERE DIVERTED 1.3 TIME LESS LIKELY TO BE REBOOKED ON NEW CHARGE THAN THOSE NOT. THOSE DIVERTED WITH FIVE OR MORE BOOKING 3.1 LESS LIKELY TO BE BOOKED INTO JAIL.
THOSE WITH NO PRIOR BOOKINGS WERE 44% LESS LIKELY TO BE BOOKED INTO JAIL. THE COUNTY AVOIDED 5.54 ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE COST RELATED TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS.
WE ALSO DID AN EVALUATION OF THE TEAM.
THIS EVALUATION WAS FOCUSED ON HPD TEAMS. WE REVIEWED 25,000 RESPONSES SINCE 2014.
ONLY 4.1% OF THE CALL RESULTED IN SOMEONE GOING TO JAIL.
FEWER THAN ONE-IN-20 INDIVIDUALS WERE TRANSPORTED TO JAIL.
AND ABOUT 70% WERE INVOLVED BY TRANSPORTATION FOR REQUEST FOR EMERGENCY SERVICE WITH HALF OF THOSE GOING TO NBC.
NEXT SLIDE. WE ALSO DID EVALUATION.
EXTERNAL EVALUATION OF THE REMOTE PROGRAM.
MANY MAY REMEMBER THE COURT PROVIDED A BUDGET FOR THAT THIS YEAR TO OPERATIONALIZE THE PROGRAM.
IT HAD BEEN DONE THROUGH A SEAR YOUS OF PROGRAMS BEFORE.
THIS IS A PARTNERSHIP. WE APPRECIATE OUR 71EDDER AND FUNDING. UNIVERSITY HOUSTON DID THE EVALUATION. AND IT'S BASIC PREMISE WE PUT TAB LELT THIS WAS EVALUATION OF PILOT 20 TABLETS IN 8 DEPUTIES CARS. WE HAVE 100 OUT THERE.
AND WE INTEND TO INCREASE TO 200 IN THE NEXT MONTH.
TRYING TO PROVIDE LAW ENFORCEMENT WITH ACCESS TO CRISIS COUNCILORS WHEN DISPATCHED TO 911 CALL USING TELE HEALTH PROCESS. THE NEXT SLIDE.
YOU CAN SEE THERE'S A VARIETY OF IMPACT THAT WERE DOCUMENTED.
EVERYTHING FROM DECREASED TRANSPORTATION TO PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCY ROOM AND REL EMERGENCY ROOMS. ASSIST IN DEESCALATING. DECIDING WHAT THE OUTCOME SHOULD BE. OF THE SAMPLE SIZE THEY REVIEWED. SAMPLE OF OVER 300 CALLS ONLY 2 PEOPLE WERE TAKEN. ONE TAKEN TO JAIL THE -- ALMOST THE MAJORITY GOT 40%. THE ASMAJORITY TAKEN TO HOSPITALS AND PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCIES.
NEXT SLIDE. ALSO THE UNIVERSITY HOUSTON DOWNTOWN HAD SEVERAL KEY RECOMMENDATIONS RELATED TO THAT.
I WILL LET YOU READ THROUGH THEM.
THE ESSENCE THAT IT SEEMS TO BE DOING WHAT IT WAS INTENDED TO DO THEY RECOMMENDED WE CONTINUE THAT PARTNERSHIP.
THEY RECEIVED A AN AWARD THIS YEAR.
WE'RE PROUD OF THE RECOGNITION. CAN YOU CAN GO TO NEXT SLIDE.
UNIVERSITY GROUP OF TEXAS WAS THE NEW PATIENT PSYCH HOSPITAL THEY HAVE DONE A LOT OF WORK IN TERMS OF PLANNING AND DESIGN PIECE OF THAT. YOU CAN SEE THAT IT IS PRETTY SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETE ON THE OUTSIDE.
THEIR MOVEMENT IS SCHEDULED FOR JANUARY, FEBRUARY 22 TIME FRAME.
AND THEY HAVE IT ALL CLOSED IN. IT'S CLOSED IN BUILDING.
THEY'VE HAD AN ACT AND MST COMPONENT TO THIS TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT HERE LOCALLY WITH PRETTY CREATIVE DESIGN WORK BEING ABLE TO ACCESS THEIR CAMPUS. NEXT SLIDE.
WE DO HAVE MAYOR TASK FOR ON POLICING REFORM.
THERE WERE 7 RECOMMENDATION RELATING TO CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM. THEE WERE MORE FOCUS ON THE HPD SIDE. THIS COUNTY AND CITY OFFICIALS.
I FOUND IT IMPORTANT TO INCLUDE THIS.
MANY OF THEM WERE EXPANDING THE PROGRAMS THAT ARE ALREADY IN PLACE THAN SOME ESTABLISH NEW PROGRAMS.
>>THE OTHER COMPLAINT AND PART OF THAT TASK FORCE WAS RECOMMENDATION AND FIELD READINESS FOR OFFICERS AND BOTH
[01:05:01]
HEALTH AND WELLNESS. PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION BEING ABLE TO EVALUATION BASELINE TRAUMA SCREENING WITH FOLLOW UP LATER ON SO WE CAN BEGIN TO MONITOR AND UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT THAT SOME EXPOSURE TO THINGS THAT THE OFFICERS EXPERIENCE AND IT'S ON MENTAL HEALTH WHEN THEY MAY NEED ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO HELP THEM FROM FALLING INTO TO BAD DISPROPORTIONATE OUTCOMES. ALL OF THOSE RECOMMENDATION WERE IMPORTANT. IT'S IMPORTANT TO HIGHLIGHT THEM AND APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT THE MENTAL HEALTH COMMITTEE AND INFORMING THE DECISIONS AND RECOMMENDATION.NEXT SLIDE. THE CREATION AND OPENING OF THE REENTRY CENTER. THIS WAS PREDOMINANTLY DRIVEN BY THE HOMELESS. THE MENTAL HEALTH STANDING COMMITTEE CREATED SOME MOD MOVE REMODELLING COMPONENT.
I WON'T GO INTO IT IN DETAIL. WE MOVED INTO REHAB CENTER DLIFRY NOVEMBER 25TH. JAIL DIVERSION FIRST COMPONENT TO MOVE OVER. HOSPITAL HOMES THERE'S 24 BEDS.
WHEN I CHECKED YET. 21 OF THE BEDS WERE FILLED ALREADY. WE'RE MAKING GOOD USE OF THOSE RESOURCES THAT ARE THERE. I HEARD IF FIRST ENTRY TO JAIL REENTRY BED FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSEN FROM THE JAIL. I THINK THE FIRST PERSON TRANSITIONED YESTERDAY. WE ANTICIPATE HAVING OUT PATIENT OPENING UP ON DECEMBER THE 14 LITTLE.
THAT'S THE TIME FRAME FOR THAT. WE STATERED THESE A LITTLE BIT.
WE WANT -- WE WANT GIVE OURSELF WAIT IN BETWEEN THEM AND NOT OVERWHELMING THE STAFF. ALL OF THOSE PROGRAMS ARE OPERATIONAL. THE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ARE ON TRACK. BUT NOT OPERATIONAL YESTERDAY.
THEY WEREN'T INTENDED TO BE. THAT'S AN EXCITEMENT COME M IN THE XHUNGS. HECHING DESIGN THE MODEL AND THE PROPERTIES. NEXT FUNS.
I APPRECIATE SOME OF YOU WHO PARTED IN RIBBON CUTTING AT -- I THOUGHT IT TURNED OUT. I APPRECIATE TIME AREFFORT TO PORLT THAT. WE DO HAVE ASSISTANT OUT PATIENT TREATMENT.
IT STARTED AS A PILOT. IT'S AN OUTPATIENT COMMITMENT PROCESS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH HISTORY OF PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALIZATION AND DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING STANLT STABILITY IN THE COMMUNITY. IT DID REVEAL GRANT.
PROMOTE THAT AND ESTABLISH MORE SOLIDLY 700,000 YEAR ON MULTIYEAR GRANT TO DO THAT EFFORT.
IT'S A TREMENDOUS PARTNERSHIP. THERE'S PARTICIPATION IN THAT.
NEXT SLIDE? >> I WILL TOUCH ON THE ADDITION OF COMPETENCY RESTORATION. THIS WAS ADVOCATED FOR SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE OUTSTANDING COMMITTEE INCLUDING THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. WE DO KNOW HAVE THE FULL COME PENCE. IT'S OPERATIONAL AND STARTS THAT YEAR. OBVIOUSLY THE JUDGE WERE HESITANT ABOUT ORDERING OUT P PATIENT RESTORATION.
WE ALSO RECEIVED STATE FUNDING TO OPERATION A NEW JAIL BASED PROGRAM. WE'RE OPTIMISTIC THAT WILL COME ONLINE HERE IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.
WE HAVE ONE OR TWO SMALL THINGS TO GET OVER TO MAKE THAT REALITY. I APPRECIATE THE SHERIFF'S SUPPORT AND HIS TEAM SUPPORT IN MAKING THAT HAPPEN.
WE WILL BE ONLY THE THIRD JAIL-BASED RESTORATION PROGRAM IN THE STATE. I THINK THAT WILL HELP US REDUCE THE WAIT TIME WHILE PEOPLE WAIT ON STATE HOSPITAL BEDS FOR THAT.
ALSO APPRECIATE THE JUDGES AND PARTICIPATING IN EDUCATION TO HELP THE JUDGES INCREASE AWARENESS OF THAT.
THE NEXT SLIDE I THINK MY FINAL ONE.
STATE HOSPITAL DASH BOARD. THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE PARTNERED WITH THE D.A. OFFICE AND THE DISTRICT CLERK TRYING TO CREATE A DASH BOARD WHERE EVERYBODY CAN SEE THE PEOPLE AND WHERE THEY ARE AT AND COMPETENCY RESTORATION PROGRAM.
WE WILL SOON HAVE PUBLICLY INTERNAL DASH BOARD THAT THOSE STAKEHOLDERS CAN SEE AND UNDERSTAND THE MOVE.
THAT WE HAVE MORE REST STRIKES. AUCTION WILL BE IMPORTANT WHERE EVERYONE IS EL GOING. WE APPRECIATE THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TAKING THROUGH ED -- THE LEAD ON THAT.
>> FINAL SLIDE AS PART OF STEPPING UP INITIATIVE.
[01:10:01]
THEY HAVE BASELINE MET ELECTRICS.EVERY COUNTY IS SHOULD MONITOR AND REPORT.
YOU CAN SEE THOSE REFLECTED HERE.
IN PARTICULAR I WANT FOR THE HARD WORK.
OUR GOAL WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS THE MEASURES WILL BE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE ON THE DASH BOARD THAT OUR COMMUNITY CAN SEE WHERE WE STAND ON THE MEASURES. EVERYONE GOT EXCITED ABOUT OTHER MEASURES AS WELL. THERE'S LOTS OF OPPORTUNITY TO ADD TO MEASURE. I WE WOULD SOMEHOW AGREE TO FOCUS GETTING ON THOSE STEPPING UP ENDORSE MEASURE INITIALLY AND SHE HOW IT EVOLVED AND WHERE IT GOES TO MAKE SURE WE'RE TRANSPARENT AND GOOD DEAL INFORMATION ON THAT.
THAT SHOULD BE MY LAST SLIDE. I WILL TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU.
HAPPY TO ENTERTAIN QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME.
THANK YOU SO MUCH WAYNE. THIS IS FAN AT -- FAN-- FANTAST
>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE MAYOR TASK FORCE DID.
THE CITY AND SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAVE REALLY FORGED A GREAT PATH IN WORKING WITH ASSISTANCE IN THE OFFICERS.
SOME OF WHO ARE SUICIDAL AND SOME WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED TRAUMA AS A RESULT OF THE CRITICAL INCIDENT.
THERE'S BEEN A HUGE RAMPING UP OF THAT.
HUGE FOCUS ON MENTAL HEALTH. IN TERMS OF THE OUTER LYING SMALLER AGENCIES, MANY OF THEM TEXAS POLICE CHIEF BEST PRACTICES AGENCY ARE NOW REQUIRED TO HAVE SIGNIFICANT MORE MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING WHICH IS CRITICAL FOR THE STREET TO BE ABLE TO DO THEIR JOB. THE SHERIFF HAS BEEN A LEADER IN THIS WHILE. HPD HAS A FANTASTIC PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM GOING. I THINK THERE'S REAL PROGRESS IN THE MADE. THE LAW ENFORCEMENT STANDPOINT.
>> THAT'S WONDERFUL NEWS. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I WAS GOING TO SEE IF WE CAN MOVE INTO THE VENTURES
[Report from Arnold Ventures on funded research projects in Harris County related to pretrial reform (30)]
PRESENTATION. I TOUCH BASE ANA BILLINGSLY HEADING THE HARVARD KENNEDY SCHOOL GOVERN AND THEIR STAFF ARE EMBEDDED PRETRIAL SERVICES AND HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. THE WORD ANA HAD AND GABRIELA IS NOTHING SHORT OVER EXCEPTIONAL. WE CAN SEND OUT THE SLIDES.IF WE COULD GO AHEAD AND HAVE THEM MORE ROBUST PRESENTATION IN OUR NEXT MEETING. SO THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO GIVE ARNOLD VENTURES AND GREAT PARTNERING WITH SO WE GIVE THEM
THE LAST TEN MINUTES TO PRESENT. >> THAT WORKS AND THANK YOU FOR BEING GRACIOUS. GO AHEAD.
>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS OF THE HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL JUSTICE COUNCIL AND ALL OF THE WONDERFUL COMMUNITY MEMBERS HERE TODAY. I'M KRISSIN BECHTEL DIRECTOR OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE RESEARCH. I'M A PLEASURE TO SUPPORT THE RESEARCH IN OUR HOMETOWN OF HARRIS COUNTY.
IN LISTENING TO PRESENTATIONS SO FAR TODAY, IT'S CLEAR THAT WORK OF THE COUNCIL SHARES ARNOLD VENTURE COMMITMENT TO TRANSPARENCY TO USING DATA TO INFORM POLICY AND PRACTICE AND MOST IMPORTANTLY TO GROW RACIAL AND GENDER EQUITY.
THE MISSION TO MAXIMIZE OPPORTUNITY AND MINIMIZE INJUSTICE WITHIN OUR PRETRIAL JUSTICE TIME ARNOLD VENTURES WE ESTABLISHED NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP FOR PRETRIAL JUSTICE.
IT'S A COMMUNITY OF RESEARCH AND POLICY ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TO ADVANCE PRETRIAL JUSTICE NATIONALLY.
NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. AND PARTNERS FROM QUATTRON CENTER AND FAIR ADMINISTRATION IS HERE TO TELL THEIR STUDY AND WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT IN TERMS OF DELIVERIABLES.
THEY HAVE BEEN COLLABORATING ESPECIALLY DATA REQUEST AND ENSURING CONSISTENCY. WE'RE GRATEFUL TO ALL OF THE COUNTY AGENCIES; THE JUSTICE DEPART.
PRETRIAL SERVICES THE COURT AND THE SHERIFFS ARE BEING GRACIOUS AS OUR RESEARCH TEAM WITH OUR PROJECTS.
WE'RE GOING TO GO THROUGH THE POWERPOINT REALLY QUICKLY.
[01:15:02]
AND I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO PAUL HEATON FROM QUATTRONE.>> IT'S GOOD TO BE HERE. IT'S GOOD TO BE BACK WITH THE CJCC. YOU CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. WHEN I WAS HERE A FEW YEARS AGO.
I TALKED ABOUT THE RESEARCH WE HAVE DONE LOOKING AT THE EFFECTS OF PRETRIAL DETENTION AND RELEASE AND THE COUNTY BAIL POLICIES THAT EXIST A FEW YEARS AGO.
OF COURSE THERE'S SOME IMPORTANT SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WITH RESPECT TO MISDEMEANOR BAIL AND SOME POTENTIAL CHANGES ON THE HORIZON FOR FELONY DEFENDANTS. WITH THE SUPPORT OF ARNOLD VENTURE AND WORKING TOGETHER WITH JIM'S TEAM.
WE'VE BEEN COMPILING THE DATA THAT WOULD TRY TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE IMPACTS OF SOME OF THE NEW REFORMS THAT HAVE OCCURRED. YOU CAN SEE ON THE SLIDE SOME OF THE KEY QUESTIONS THAT WILL BE EXAMINING.
I GUESS WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SAY IN SHORT TIME I HAVE HERE TO POINT OUT RELATIVE TO SOME OF THE OTHER WORK THAT YOU KNOW EMERGING FROM THE MONITOR AND FROM OTHER FOLKS WHAT ARE SOME OF THE INSIGHTS I'M HOPING THIS STREAM OF RESEARCH WILL GENERATE FOR THE CJCC AND THE COMMISSIONER AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. WHAT THIS RESEARCH CONTEMPLATING GETTING DATA BACK THROUGH 2014 SO WE GET BROADER HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE COMPARED FOCUSING ON THE MOST RECENT PERIOD.
WE'VE ALSO REQUESTED DATA COVERING ALL CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS BOTH MISDEMEANOR AND FELONY DEFENDANTS.
OF COURSE LOTS OF REFORM OCCURRED IN MISDEMEANOR SPACE.
BUT WE'RE INTERESTED IN UNDERSTANDING KIND OF PATTERN OF PRE-TRIAL RELEASE AND NONAPPEARANCE AMONG FELONY DEFENDANTS. WE THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT DATABASE LINE FOR STAKEHOLDERS IN THE COUNTY TO BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND AS THEY THINK ABOUT FELONY REFORM.
WE'RE ALSO GOING TO BE FOCUSED ON TRYING TO ADJUST FOR OR DEAL WITH THE VARIOUS FACTORS THAT HAVE CHANGED OVER TIME SO WE CAN UNDERSTAND THE EFFECTS OF VARIOUS POLICIES.
FOR EXAMPLE, ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT CAME UP EARLIER IN THE MEETING THAT ED RAISED WITH RESPECT TO JAIL POPULATION WHAT IF WE WERE TO TAKE LOW-RISK FE FELONY DEFENDANTS. PART OF THE RESEARCH DESIGN IF YOU LOOK POINT E DESIGNED TO TRY TO RIGOROUSLY THINK THROUGH AND EXTENT POSSIBLE MEASURE WHAT MIGHT THE POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF SAY EXPANDING PRETRIAL TO REALLY RELEASE TO DIFFERENT GROUPS.
ALSO I THINK BUILD ON THE WORK ANDY AND FOLKS AT CRIME STOPPERS HAVE DONE THINKING ABOUT YOU KNOW WE ARREST AMONG FELONY DEFENDANTS THEY'VE DONE SOME I THINK INTERESTING TO SEE TRYING TO DOCUMENT PARTICULAR INDIVIDUAL CASES, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO DO GETTING DATA THAT COVERS KIND OF THE UNIVERSE GIVE BROADER LOOK AND AGAIN STAYING CLEAR FOR CONTEXT ACTUAL FACTOR. NEXT SLIDE.
WE'VE BEEN WORKING TO GET ACCESS TO DETAILED INDIVIDUAL-LEVEL DATA. WE APPRECIATED THE PARTNERSHIP.
I THINK THE FINAL SIGNING OF THE DATA AGREEMENT WILL OCCUR AT THE COMMISSIONER'S MEETING JUST A FEW DAYS FROM NOW.
WE WILL WORKING WITH THE DATA. IF YOU GO TO NEXT SLIDE.
ULTIMATELY WE THINK THE OUTPUT WILL BE SERIES OF WHITE PAPERS BEGINNING SOMETIME EARLY NEXT YEAR THAT PROVIDE BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE SYSTEM THAT PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF SOME OF THE REFORMS THAT WE WILL PUBLISH THESE IN KIND OF SERIES OF WHITE PAPERS.
MAYBE I WILL STOP THERE AND PASS THE BATON OVER TO COLLEAGUES AT THE HARVARD ACCESS TO JUSTICE. 82 THANK YOU SO MUCH.
FOR YOU FOCUS ON THE DATA AND YOUR CONTINUED INTEREST IN HARRIS COUNTY. IT'S A GREAT SERVICE FOR OUR COUNTY. THANK YOU.
I'M JIM GREINE ACCESS TO JUSTICE LAB.
ACCESS TO JUSTICE LAB TO ASSESS WHERE PSA PUBLIC SAFETY ASSESSMENT SCORING SYSTEM DOES WHAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO DO.
WHICH IS TO BAND ARRESTEES AND INDIVIDUALS ARRESTED ACCORDING TO THEIR LEVEL OF RISK IF RELEASED.
ABOUT WHETHER THEY FAIL TO APPEAR AND CERTAIN CRIMINAL JUSTICE HEARINGS. COMMIT A NEW CRIME OR NEW VIOLENT CRIME IF RELEASED. THE WAY THE WHOLE SYSTEM WORKS IS THERE'S A SCIENTIFICALLY BASED RISK ASSESSMENT CALLED
[01:20:01]
PSA. IT RISK ON 1-6 SCALE.AND FOR NEW CRIMINAL ACTIVITY AND 0-1 CRIMINAL ELEVATED RISK FLAG. THAT'S WHAT WE ANALYZED.
IN OPERATION JUDGES SEE THE PSA TOGETHER WITH SOMETHING CALL THE DECISIONS MAKING FRAMEWORK WHICH VALUES AND ORDER TO TRANSLATE THOSE RISK ASSESSMENT SCORE INSTRUMENTS ENTERED INTO RECOMMENDATION FOR THE JUDGE.
THE FIRST PART OF F TSA. NEXT SLIDE.
>> A BIG SHOUT OUT TO SOME VERY TIME CONSTRAINT.
I WILL SAY THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED WITH US AND PROVIDING DATA. AND THEY ARE LISTED HERE, PARTNERS INCLUDING THE DATA THAT WE RECEIVED.
NEXT SLIDE. COULD WE GO TO NEXT SLIDE.
>> GREAT. WE DID DELIVER OUR REPORT.
IT'S BEEN OUT FOR ABOUT FOUR TO FIVE WEEKS.
AND THE COUNTY AFTER INPUT FROM THE PARTNERS THAT LISTED ON THE PREVIOUS SLIDE AS WELL AS OTHER. THANKS FOR INPUT.
>> WHAT WE HAVE FOUND ON A SCALE THAT GENERALLY CONSIST OF NO EVIDENCE WEAK EVIDENCE AND STRONGER EVIDENCE.
WE FOUND MODERATE EVIDENCE THAT PSA WAS VALID IN HARRIS COUNTY.
THE BASIC INQUIRY DOES THE PSA BAND RISK OF INDIVIDUALS ARRESTED IF THEY ARE RELEASED. DOES IT TAKE THAT RISK WELL? WE FOUND NO SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE THAT THEY PERFORMED DIFFERENTLY FOR DIFFERENT RACIAL GROUP. THERE WAS SOME EVIDENCE FOR DIFFERENCES IN PERFORMANCE OF GENDER GROUPS.
BUT THAT'S THE SAME THING WE SEE EVERYWHERE IN JURISDICTIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY INCLUDING THAT DON'T USE RISK ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENTS. GENERALLY MALE INDIVIDUALS MISBEHAVE AT HIGHER RATES THAN FEMALE INDIVIDUALS.
THAT EFFECTS THE RISK ASSESSMENT.
NEXT SLIDE. TO GIVE YOU IDEA OF STATISTICAL TECHNIQUES WE USE TO GRAPH ON THIS ACCESS GOING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, AS YOU GO FROM LEFT TO RIGHT RISK ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENT CLASSIFICATION INCREASES. MEANING THAT THE RISK ASSESSMENT FOR THINGS THAT INDIVIDUALS ARE MORE RISKY AND THEN GOING FROM DOWN TO UP YOU GET THE LEVEL OF INCIDENCE OF CERTAIN MISBEHAVIORS. RIGHT HAND IS NEW CRIMINAL ACTIVITY. GRAPH HAS THE CLASSIFICATION RISK SCORE GOES UP. SO DOES THE CORRESPONDING MISBEHAVIOR RATES. IDEALLY PERFECTLY ABSOLUTELY YOU KNOW PERFECT WORLD, THESE RATE WOULD GO UP AT SORT OF CONSISTENT STEPWISE PATTERN. WE DON'T SEE THAT.
BUT WE DO SEE A FAIR AMOUNT OF INCREASES.
THE ONE THING OF NOTING AT THE END OF FAR RIGHT HAND PORTION OF THE GRAPH. THERE'S A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY AS MISBEHAVIOR RATE WHEN INDIVIDUALS ARE CLASSIFIED AS SIX. AND THEN THAT GOES FROM THE FACT THAT PRETRIAL WAS WORKING WITH DATA THAT HAD SUBSTANTIAL PROBLEMS IN TERMS OF CONCLUDING THAT INDIVIDUALS HAD APPEAR IN THE PAST TWO YEARS OR LONGER THAN THE PAST TWO YEARS BECAUSE OF RECORD-KEEPING DIFFICULTIES THAT THE COUNTY ALREADY HAS IN THE SYSTEM AND NEEDS TO CORRECT. WITH THAT, I WILL TURN IT OVER
TO OUR FRIEND IS IT MDRC. >> I WANT TO NOTICE WE'RE TRYING TO KEEP THESE MEETING TO 2:00. IF WOULD JUST KEEP LITERALLY A MINUTE OR TWO MAX. THANK YOU.
>> THANKS. >> THANK YOU FOR DR. GREINER FOR
YOUR WORK. >> WITH FUNDING AND SUPPORT FROM ARNOLD VENTURE. THE COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN MDRC CRIMINAL JUSTICE SEARCH.
JUSTICE SYSTEM PARTNER AND THOSE FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY WITH THE GOAL OF HELPING PARTNER JURISDICTIONS ASSESS THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR PRETRIAL RELEASE AND SUPERVISE INTERVENTIONS. WITH THE FOCUS ON COURT APPEARANCE OUTCOMES AND WHETHER LESS RESTRICTIVE INTERVENTIONS CAN BE AS EFFECTIVE AS MORE RESTRICTIVE INTERVENTIONS.
THEY CONSIST OF ASSESSMENT OF EXISTING POLICY AND PRACTICES USED BY HARRIS COUNTY PRETRIAL. HARRIS COUNTY PRETRIAL JUSTICE SYSTEM FROM ARREST TO POSITION. ANALYSIS OF SUPERVISE INTERVENTION STRATEGIES FOR THOSE CURRENTLY UNDER PRETRIAL
[01:25:03]
SERVICE AND THOSE BY CSCD FOR SUPERVISION LEVELS.NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. THIS IS JUST DATA ELEMENTS THAT WE REQUESTED. THANKS AGAIN TO EVERYONE INVOLVED. THANK YOU TO THE COUNTY FOR ACCOMMODATING OUR REQUEST. NEXT SLIDE.
WE LOOK PRODUCING FINAL REPORT SUMMARIZING THE FINDING FROM THE STUDY INCLUDING THE DESCRIPTIVE QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS AND SYSTEM AND PROCESS MAP. THE REPORT WILL ALSO INCLUDE ANY RECOMMENDATION THAT WE HAVE BASED ON THE FINDING.
WE CURRENTLY EXPECT TO SHARE THE REPORT BY JULY OF 2021.
IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING VALUABLE INFORMATION ON PERFORMANCE OF PRETRIAL SUPERVISE INTERVENTIONS, THIS ANALYSIS WE HOPE WILL HELP SERVICE PLAN FOR UPCOMING TRANSITION OF CASES FROM CSCD FOR CASE LOADS.
THAT'S ALL FOR ME. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME AND PARTICIPATION IN OUR STUDY. WE'RE HAPPY TO TAKE QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. BACK TO KRISTIN.
>> WE'RE EAGER TO SEE THE REPORT MID NEXT YEAR.
>> ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD FROM ARNOLD VENTURES.
>> IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE. WE LOOK FORWARD TO PRODUCING THE
FUTURE REPORTS FOR THE COUNTY. >> LOOK I THINK I CAN SPEAK FOR EVERYBODY THAT THIS -- IT'S TURNING THE PAGE.
AND IT'S JUST ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT ELEMENTS ARE COMING TOGETHER AND SO MANY COMMITTED LEADER AND YOUR COMMITMENT AND PARTNERSHIP IS HUGE AND SO YOU KNOW IT DOESN'T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT. BUT I THINK THIS CONFLUENCE OF POSITIVE WORK IS GOING TO REALLY MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE FOR OUR COMMUNITY. AS THE MONTHS GO BY.
AND SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. FOR ALL OF YOUR WORK.
AS WE PROMISED 2:00. I WANT TO NOTE ONE OF OUR MEMBERS IS CHRIS WHO LOST HIS DAUGHTER ON SUNDAY.
SOME OF YOU MAY HAVE HEARD. HIS DAUGHTER MARIA.
I JUST WANTED TO ADJOURN IN HER HONOR.
AND YOU KNOW FOR ALL OF US TO KEEP CHRIS AND HIS FAMILY IN OUR
THAT'S VERY CLASSY OF YOU. THANK YOU.
>> YOU ALL BE SAFE. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
IT'S BEEN SUCH AN HONOR TO WORK WITH YOU THIS YEAR.
>> THANK YOU. THIS MEETING ADJOURNED.
>> I MAKE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. >> IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND. >> ALL RIGHT ALL IN FAVOR?
>> CAN I TALK ABOUT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE? [LAUGHTER] RECYCLING.
THEY ARE NOT DOING RECYCYLING -- >> ANY OPPOSED?
>> MOTION CARRIES. >> HAPPY
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.