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An Overview of the. Maine County Commissioners’ Association & Maine Sheriffs’ Association. JOINT PLAN To Establish The: MAINE JAIL AND COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS SYSTEM. Plan Objectives. Improve Efficiency & Effectiveness Both the Jail System and Community Corrections Optimize Bed Space Use
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An Overview of the Maine County Commissioners’ Association&Maine Sheriffs’ Association JOINT PLAN To Establish The: MAINE JAIL AND COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS SYSTEM
Plan Objectives • Improve Efficiency & Effectiveness • Both the Jail System and Community Corrections • Optimize Bed Space Use • Reduce Overcrowding - county jails and state facilities • Service Special Inmate Populations • Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Infirmary • Save Money & Provide Property Tax Relief
Foundational AssumptionsTHEN AND NOW • Establish Jail Authority • Board of Corrections created • County Jail Debt Service Paid by “Others” • Counties pay their own debt service • Community Corrections Act Funded • State funding maintained • C.J. Prisoner Support Monies - Fund Authority • Authority has no full-time paid staff • Community Corrections Incentive Funds • BOC’s Investment Fund ?
Foundational AssumptionsTHEN AND NOW • Department of Health and Human Services to fund and deliver Mental Health Services • Discussion needed to identify available resources • Counties responsible for jail budgets • Property tax cap and BOC approval. • Counties responsible for Maintenance & Operation • Property tax cap and BOC approval. • Regional Planning Committees
Plan Components • Coordinate Jail Bed Space • Technology Initiative Underway • Internet-based Solution • Manage Population Information • New Data Collection Tools Implemented (Jan ’09) • Manage Jail Capacity Growth • Certificate of Need Process Created • Needs Group Identifying Data to Collect and Analyze (Muskie Institute) • Evaluate Each Jail’s Purpose (Mission) & Capacity • Similar review needed for DOC facilities
Plan Components • Coordinate Services for Special Populations (Mental Health, Substance Abuse & Infirmary) • Needs Group to Evaluate Existing Facilities and Present to Working Group • Coordinate Inter-County Transport System • Pilot Project Currently Underway • Opportunity for Immediate Impact ($avings) • Operate Jail Inspections System • Deleted from BOC Model • Need to Assess Impact of DOC Budget Cuts
Plan Components • Administer Pretrial & Post-Conviction Programs • Services must be provided in all counties • Community Corrections • Lowest-cost beds to build and operate • Existing resources available (DOC Adult Community Corrections [Probation], Community Works Crews, Work Release, Maine Pretrial Services and Volunteers of America) • Work of the Pretrial and Diversion Group Is Critical • Criminal Justice Planning Committees • Currently None Established • Defer to 2010 ??
Plan Components • Improve Criminal Justice System Operations • Inform and Educate Criminal Justice System Stakeholders • Build Local Planning Councils • BOC Initiative to Work With Judiciary • Greatest Potential for Efficiencies and Co$t $aving$ • Manage Corrections Beds as Finite Resource • State Sentencing and Corrections Practices Coordinating Council
LOW-HANGING FRUIT • Inmate Transportation System • Jail Bed Management • Certificate of Need Process • Data Collection (validate vs. challenge) • Community Corrections • Pretrial Diversion • Management of Probationers • Sentencing Practices • Spl / it Sent / encing