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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 10-28-2010 PUBLIC SAFETY COORDINATING COUNCIL Minutes of Meeting October 28, 2010 Convened: Adjourned: 3:33 p.m.4:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Craft called the meeting to order at 3:33 p.m. in Conference Room # 3, 2300 Virginia Avenue, Fort Pierce, Florida. ROLL CALL Roll call was taken. Members Present: Commissioner Chris Craft Suzanne Caudell, CORE Program Thomas Mark, Department of Corrections John Romano, New Horizons Pat Tighe, Major th Chief Judge Steve Levin, 19 Circuit th Judge Philip J. Yacucci, 19 Circuit Diamond Litty, Public Defender Janet Collins, Bail Association Members Absent: Ken Mascara, Sheriff of SLC Bruce Colton, State Attorney Others Present: Mark Godwin, SLC Criminal Justice Coordinator Broderick Underwood, SLC Analyst Allison Duffy, SLC Drug Lab Lisa Savage, SLC Pre-Trial Program Faye Outlaw, SLC Admin William McMahon, SL SO Charles Grande, SLC Chairman Dan Lutzke, SLC Risk Mgr Kathy Hurt, Guest Speaker Hanley Center Michael Counes, Guest Speaker Hanley Center APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes from September 30, 2010 were unanimously approved. Public Safety Coordinating Council October 28, 2010 Page 2 UPDATE by SLC Sherriff’s Office- Major Tighe: Major Tighe reported the jail population which was at 1208, this included federal inmates. Crime is down and the programs are working. Commissioner Craft informed the group of a meeting that was held with Major Tighe, County Staff, and the Health Department. It covered issues regarding the transition that takes place when an individual is released from jail. The individuals on psychotropic drugs are not able to continue their meds until their Medicare or Medicaid is reinstated. It can take up to seventy-five days before this happens. Those dependent on HIV medication also experience the same. This identified some issues that lead to recidivism especially on the mental health side. Major Tighe announced in order to have a better collaboration Prison Health Services (PHS) will hold meetings with New Horizons, Health Department and Mental Health Staff. UPDATE by Criminal Justice Coordinator- Mark Godwin: Mark reported that the County paid $473,000 for Aids medications this year. There was discussion about identifying and flagging those chronic costly cases for the Judges. If the Judges have this information before them it can help with the decision making process in regards to punishment. Commissioner Craft mentioned that what they have found is that the cost of the punishment is far out weighing the crime itself that was committed. County Tax Payers are affected by this and the agencies involved have been working on identifying ways to save dollars and have done so. Mr. Godwin went over the Detention Center Population report. The female population continued to grow due to prescription drug abuse. Mr. Underwood, SLC Analyst visited with the Department of Justice and learned how they calculated the Average Length of Stay. We will now have that number excluding those who were sentenced to jail which has skewed the numbers in the past. On November 17, 2010 a meeting with the Sheriff’s Office is scheduled to go over that and will be shared at our follow up meeting. JUDICIAL UPDATE by Chief Judge Levin: Chief Judge gave an update on a list he was given of twenty five cases slow to move through the system (over one thousand days). He found one case on the list that was not for the same charge Public Safety Coordinating Council October 28, 2010 Page 3 from the original jail date listed on the file. There was a Capital Case on the list that has been slow to move along and sometimes that is understandable. The last case he checked into he made sure to get back on the docket, it was a Pro Se case and the individual was filing a lot of motions. Chief Judge will be sure to stay on top of those cases. The Judges have been doing a very good job and he mentioned some changes that will take place. Judge Sweet will replace Judge Vaughn and Vaughn will be moved to Judge Roby’s slot. The four Judges doing the VOP’s are: Judge Vaughn, Sweet, McCann and Mirman. Chief Judge spoke of his intentions for the three new court rooms that will be available soon. He has planned on moving Juvenile from Seventh Street back to the Court House. He has touched base with all the entities involved to see if it can be done and if so, April is the goal. Judge Yacucci commented that all programs are running well. Commissioner Craft commented on the opportunity he had to sit in on First Appearance with Judge Yacucci and he was very impressed with the process. Judge Yacucci acknowledged that Becky Bleyman from CORE announced her retirement. She has been wonderful to work with over the years and will be missed. Mrs. Caudell from CORE mentioned that she will be with them until the end of the year if anyone wanted to get together and wish her well. Becky has been an asset to the program. Presentation: Major Tighe introduced Kathy Hurt, Professional Outreach Manager and Michael Counes, Executive Managing Director from the Hanley Center. The Hanley Center is an addiction treatment center and rehab center here in Florida. They are new in Indian River County and are a part of Hanley Center in West Palm, which is an eighty six bed facility. On the Treasure Coast they have a twenty six bed facility. They have worked on an agreement as a contract of services with the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office. Their focus is on the employees and their families who may be struggling with prescription drug addiction or any other addictions. They offer prevention education services and are available to visit any of our organizations and speak to employees before anyone has to take that final step. OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS: th Thomas Mark from Department of Corrections, announced the circuit office and 19 zero intake office is relocating in November. They have been on Okeechobee Rd. for over thirty five years. Public Safety Coordinating Council October 28, 2010 Page 4 They will notify the courts and others as well as have new maps in place before the move. They are relocating to 2806 South US Highway 1 in Fort Pierce. Due to the Holidays the November and December 2010 Public Safety Meetings have been canceled. Commissioner Craft mentioned that he did pass out a letter from Clerk Smith in regards to the issues that were brought up by the Sheriff’s Office last month. This had to do with an improper release of an inmate. In the letter Clerk Smith has requested a follow up meeting with the Board of County Commission to explain his position. Please see the attached letter. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Craft adjourned the meeting at 4:00 p.m. Submitted by, Carlene Filippini THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE HELD January 27, 2011