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1 McLean County (IL) Criminal Justice Coordinating Council April 11, 2013 Meeting Chief Judge Elizabeth Robb welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked them for attending. ISU Stevenson Center Report on Jail Population Dr. Frank Beck reviewed the current bookings and average bed days information. The ISU Stevenson Center has been able to isolate the population reported as mentally ill by the arresting agency, and those categorized as mentally ill following an assessment by the MCJ staff. The number of bookings and the number reported by the LEA have increased over the past 5 years. Those categorized as mentally ill have increased the number of bed days used by 50% since 2007, and there has been a similar increase in the number of bed days for those assessed with suicidal thoughts, low functioning and others within the category. The same information breakdown was presented by quarter for each of the categories. The Stevenson Center has concluded that overall the identification of the defendant as mentally ill does result in a longer length of stay – regardless of offense. There were several questions regarding the aggregation of data. Some of the defendants are “double counted” as they are both flagged by the LEA as mentally ill, and later assessed as mentally ill. This is subjective data (both measures) as neither assessment tool or the flag has been verified as accurate or valid. Trends in jail utilization have been following the general trends from 2011-2012, some growth, but very slow rise in population numbers. National Institute of Corrections Assessment of McLean County Jail (MCJ) Greg Allen (MCJ Superintendent) gave the summary. Sheriff Emery has appeared before the McLean County Justice Committee in April and requested a joint session of the Justice and Property Committees to discuss possible renovations to the MCJ. Technical assistance will be requested from the National Institute of Corrections if approved. The space and facilities assessment may move forward as early as May 2013. Melinda Fellner summarized the number of persons in the MCJ who are taking drugs, those waiting for evaluation and those with behavioral issues. Three inmates are waiting for transfer to the state mental health facilities; some have been waiting for 10 weeks for a placement. IN all 21% of the MCJ population has been evaluated with mental health issues. Chief Judge Elizabeth Robb is serving on a state-wide mental health committee tasked with making recommendations about resolving delay issues, lack of mental health services in many communities, and the lack of resources for out-patient programming and after-care for those released. Dr. Anderson Freeman (IL Department of Human Services) serves on the same committee. He has stated that there ---PAGE BREAK--- 2 may be funding for additional training and some additional beds may be available at McFarland in late May or early June. Staff at the MCJ are working on some services linkage for defendants who need after-care following release. CJCC Strategic Plan The draft strategic plan was distributed to all members. If any member has a comment, please provide that feedback to William Scanlon at: [EMAIL REDACTED] There are recommended changes to the committee structure and charge of each committee. Legislative Report The legislative report was distributed. One major change that is supported is the move of all 17-year- olds to juvenile court. Other Judge Robb, Judge Fitzgerald, Judge Bauknecht (Livingston County), Lori McCormick and William Scanlon will be representatives at the “Future of the Courts” Conference on April 15-16. This is a strategic planning conference for the Illinois Supreme Court and Administrative Office of Illinois Courts. William Scanlon has distributed by email an article by the Justice Management Institute regarding evaluation of criminal justice coordinating councils. This article may provide some insight in relation to the revised strategic plan of the McLean County CJCC. The National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP) will be stopping in Bloomington on May 15 to attend the Drug Court and Recovery Court graduation. The ceremony will be held in the Government Center from 12:30-2:00 p.m. Meeting Adjourned: 1:55 p.m. Next Meeting: Thursday, July 11, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. McLean County Government Center, RM 400 115 E. Washington Street Bloomington, IL