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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPSCC 042019 MinutesPUBLIC SAFETY COORDINATING COUNCIL Minutes of Meeting April 25, 2019 Convened: 3:33 p.m. Adjourned: 4:15 p.m. CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Townsend called the meeting to order at 3:33 p.m. in Conference Rm 3, 2300 Virginia Avenue, Fort Pierce, Florida. ROLL CALL Roll call was taken. Members Present: Members Excused: Others Present: Commissioner Cathy Townsend, BOCC Chief Judge Elizabeth Metzger, 19th Circuit Judge Phillip J. Yacucci, 19th Circuit Bruce Colton, State Attorney Diamond Litty, Public Defender Mike Davis, Florida Department of Correction Lt. Dan O'Brien for Ken Mascara, Sheriff SLSO George Shopland, New Horizons Mr. Timothy Kozlowski, SLC Bail Bond Assoc. Suzanne Caudell, CORE Program Roy P. Hudson, SLC Atty/CJD Broderick Underwood, SLC Atty/CJD Robert Curry, SLC Atty/CJD Robert Worcester, SLC Atty/CJD APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes from January 31, 2019 were unanimously approved. Public Safety Coordinating Council April 25, 2019 Page 2 UPDATE by SLC Sherriffs Office- Lt. Dan O'Brien Lt. O'Brien reported today's jail population is at 1,314 and 29 federal inmates. He shared there are 105 sentenced inmates and 1,209 un -sentenced inmates. UPDATE by Criminal Justice Coordinator -Roy Hudson Roy Hudson shared that every year the Pretrial program prepares a report for OPPAGA (Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability). He gave an overview of the annual report. Mr. Hudson indicated that in St. Lucie County enough jail bed nights were saved, not counting inmate medical, to amount to roughly $6,500,000 savings for the County. There was a savings of $519,000 in Okeechobee County. In the first three months of the Pretrial program starting in Martin County there was a savings of $128,000. Mr. Hudson also shared that he attended the Indian River County Public Safety Coordinating Council meeting to discuss Pretrial as they are interested in possibly starting a Pretrial program. If Indian River County starts a Pretrial program that will complete the 191'' Circuit and it is a tool that many judges appreciate. OLD BUSINESS Commissioner Townsend introduced George Shopland, CEO of New Horizons, to the Council. She also shared that she is continuing conversations with Captain Lawhorn about the possibility of a new jail. Her goal is to convert the old jail into transitional living and addressing some of the mental health issues of inmates at the jail. She would like to see them transitioned into some type of work program. Commissioner Townsend indicated she still wants to work towards relocating the courthouse to the Virginia Avenue campus. Diamond Litty expressed agreement with the goals. NEW BUSINESS Timothy Kozlowski spoke on behalf of the Bail Agents of St. Lucie County. Bail bonds colleagues worked hard to get legislation passed that requires tax funded Pretrial programs to report their statistics to ensure accountability and value. He shared that we couldn't have better leaders in our Pretrial program. Timothy brought in copies of the OPPAGA report and discussed report findings. Mr. Kozlowski questioned the savings of approximately $6,500,000 in the report. Mr. Kozlowski pointed out that the report uses the estimate of $90 per inmate per night. He shared that on the Sheriff's annual report it estimates the cost of one night in jail at $70. Mr. Kozlowski questioned this discrepancy. He discussed where the breakdown of the cost of a bed night could come from (i.e. fixed costs) and the possibility that the cost per night could be lower. He shared his understanding was that Pretrial was initially started to assist the indigent population with parameters of who could be placed on Pretrial and the parameters seemed to have expanded. He Public Safety Coordinating Council April 25, 2019 Page 3 shared from the report that 164 out of 719 defendants were returned to jail for Pretrial violation. Mr. Kozlowski questioned the cost of the people who were returned to jail and how long they stayed in jail. He suggested there may be ways to deal with defendants who violate Pretrial such as going back in front of the judge for bond as they have not yet been found guilty of the initial crime. Roy Hudson indicated that the figure for the cost per bed night comes from the Chief Corrections Officer of each county. In Indian River County they shared that their cost was $93 per day. Lt. Dan O'Brien added that the figure of $71 per night would be for a regular inmate and the cost for a mentally ill inmate is around $300 per night and that is 30% of the jail population. A robust conversation ensued with many of the members expressing the value of Pretrial and indicating that both Pretrial and bonds are important tools for the judges to have available as options. Diamond Litty expressed her appreciation for Mr. Kozlowski sharing the information and shared her thoughts that the numbers in the report were pretty spot on from what she has seen. The conversation came to a close with a brief discussion about jail population. Mr. Kozlowski indicated that Pretrial was supposed to address the rising jail population but the jail population seems to be increasing. Commissioner Townsend expressed that St. Lucie County is a growing county and when the population grows rapidly it is difficult to keep up and we house Federal inmates. Lt. Dan O'Brien shared that the jail population has gone down over the years and that we are lower than the national average. Diamond Litty shared that the 7th Annual Life Builders fundraiser, cocktail party and golf tournament, would be taking place in the coming weekend. It is the 10th anniversary of Life Builders and in that time they have raised $1, 300,000 to help people touched by the Criminal Justice system be successful. Ms. Litty invited all to attend the fundraiser. Commissioner Townsend closed the meeting by recognizing the retirement of Judge Phil Yacucci. She shared that Judge Yacucci swore her in after she won the Commissioner election and that was the first time a judge had done so in St. Lucie County. She indicated it set the bar for the future in the county when a new Commissioner is elected. Commissioner Townsend stated, "You have always fought for what is best for the people of this community. On a personal note I will miss you. I appreciate your service". Judge Yacucci thanked everyone and expressed that he has had the opportunity to work with so many wonderful people and that it has been an honor. In closing, Judge Yacucci shared that as you come to the end you realize it is the journey getting there that matters. Comments - None ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Townsend adjourned the meeting at 4:15 p.m. Public Safety Coordinating Council April 25, 2019 Page 4 Submitted by, Kellie Harris (Carlene LaMonica, Pretrial Case Manager, recorded the meeting in my absence.) THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE HELD JULY 25, 2019.