Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPSCC 07302020 - Minutes PUBLIC SAFETY COORDINATING COUNCIL ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA Regular Meeting July 30, 2020 Convened: 3:29 PM Adjourned: 3:45 PM 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 3:29 PM by Vice-Chair, Mr. Bruce Colton. Roll call was taken. Members Present Bruce Colton, State Attorney, 19th Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Lawrence Mirman, 19th Judicial Circuit Judge Kathryn Nelson, 19th Judicial Circuit Diamond Litty, Public Defender, 19th Judicial Circuit Mike Davis, Circuit Administrator, DOC Suzanne Caudell, Director of CORE Program Chief Garry Wilson for Sheriff Mascara, SLSO Captain Petri Hayes for Major Chris Cicio, SLSO Patricia Austin, Acting CEO, New Horizons Members Excused Commissioner Cathy Townsend, BOCC Mr. Timothy Kozlowski, St. Lucie Bail Agents Assoc. Others Present Roy P. Hudson, SLC Atty/CJD Trevor Morganti, SLSO Douglas Baber, SLC Human Resources Director Joseph Cowan, SLC Atty/CJD Regular Meeting Thursday, July 30, 2020 3:29PM 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes from January 30, 2020 were unanimously approved. UPDATE by SLC Sheriff’s Office: Captain Petri Hayes Captain Hayes reported they have been actively dealing with the COVID pandemic within the jail. He shared an instant action plan was initiated beginning February 28, 2020 in order to keep staff and inmates safe. Temperature checks and other protocols that were in line with CDC and Health Department guidance were put into place. Captain Hayes also shared that they contracted with a staffing agency who provided a COVID specialist nurse to assist in education for the staff and inmates as well as assist the medical contractor Wexford Health. He reported on May 16, 2020 there was a COVID positive case in their inmate work unit and staff worked quickly to isolate, contain and quarantine the necessary housing units as well as conduct contact tracing, which led to kitchen operations. Captain Hayes mentioned that they enhanced their protocols rapidly since the first case. He shared the jail population was at 1189 inmates and they have tested 106 inmates since February 28, 2020. They currently have 8 positive cases, 8 pending cases, and 29 inmates that have overcome COVID with no hospitalizations. Captain Hayes reported they were able to follow up on the Vivitrol program amidst the COVID pandemic. They will have assessments on August 4, 2020 to begin the Vivitrol program and they have four inmates that are candidates. Suzanne Caudell inquired about the criteria for the program. Captain Hayes indicated the criteria was stringent and indigence was a factor that affected who was eligible. Both Ms. Caudell and Captain Hayes indicated it was great news to have inmates getting in the program as it is reported to be very effective. Mr. Doug Baber expressed appreciation for Captain Hayes, Major Cicio, Pretrial, the State Attorney’s Office, the Public Defender’s office, and Chief Wilson and staff for their work in keeping inmate medical costs down. Mr. Colton expressed that most everyone in the room deals with issues surrounding inmates and the jail on a daily basis and indicated that the jail population is down and arrests are down in general. He asked if there was a backlog of felons awaiting trial as they tried to process some out of the jail. Chief Wilson responded it has slowed but it was understandable and the judges were doing their best within the confinements of video to get people moved that could be moved. He indicated that everyone is working together very well. UPDATE by Criminal Justice Director: Roy Hudson Roy Hudson shared that the Pretrial Program normally has 165 to 185 defendants per week; however, for the last two months they have had 210 to 225 defendants per week. He indicated they are very busy but getting the job done. Mr. Hudson conveyed the good news that the Pretrial team, some of whom who were impacted by COVID, have all returned to work. He mentioned that several contracts with agencies outside of the County are completed for the next year and that the contract with Martin County will be completed soon. He closed by indicating the drug lab is doing well; however, Allison Duffy, the Drug Lab Manager, is out with pneumonia and on the mend. 3. 4. 2 | Page Regular Meeting Thursday, July 30, 2020 3:29PM 5. JUDICIAL UPDATES: Chief Judge Mirman Judge Mirman gave credit to the State Attorney’s Office and the Public Defender’s Office for their work in resolving cases and shared he has received good reports from the judges. He expressed his frustration in the current circumstances that are a result of the Coronavirus. He explained that without a jury being present cases inevitably get backed up. He conveyed that the State has many cases where a defendant has taken a plea and their sentencing is contingent upon another defendant’s trial, which has been postponed due to COVID. Aside from not having trials, criminal judges are limited in what they can do remotely due to Constitutional rights of the defendants. He indicated he felt they are doing the best they can given all the current challenges. He shared that due to the COVID outbreak at the jail, he issued an Administrative Order authorizing the Sheriff of St. Lucie County the ability to release inmates which was unprecedented in our State’s history. He anticipates jury trials will resume once the State starts to see a big dip in positive COVID cases. He shared that Judiciary has their own phases of reopening. He reported they had to take some steps back in Martin County due to a spike in cases and they are now back to where they started which is still very limited. Judge Mirman indicated there are also struggles surrounding funding due to COVID. Judge Nelson reiterated the great work being done by all to try to get defendants released. Bruce Colton inquired if Roy noticed people on Pretrial violating their Pretrial requirements. Roy responded that it was about the same as always. Mr. Colton also inquired if there has been any uptick in violations of probation. Suzanne Caudell responded there has not been an uptick in violations. Mike Davis echoed this response, adding they have not gone out to see as many cases. 6. OLD BUSINESS Suzanne Caudell reported the diversion program to have an 82% success rate. She added this is much higher than standard probation, which has a 68% to 70% success rate. NEW BUSINESS COMMENTS PUBLIC COMMENT ADJOURNMENT Mr. Bruce Colton adjourned the meeting at 3:45pm. Submitted by, Kellie Harris The next meeting will be held on October 29, 2020. 7. 8. 9. 10. 3 | Page