HomeMy WebLinkAboutReg 2007-03-19 Item 6A - Update - Jail Alternative Program I COUNCIL AGENDA Si'NOPSIS
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ITEM INFO RM ATION-
CAS NUMBER: 07-032 I ORIGINAL AGENDA DATE: 03/12/07
AGENDA IL'EM TITLE Jail Alternative Program
Cr TEGORY Discussion Motion Resolution Ordinance Bid Award Public Hearing Other
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I SPONSOR Council Mayor Adm Svcs DCD Finance Fire Legal Pea Police Pll%
SPDNSOR'S Update on the Jail Alternative Program as an answer to the City Council's request for a
SU\LMARY Work Program.
RI VIEWED BY COW Mtg. CA &P Cmte F &S Cmte Transportation Cmte
Utilities Cmte Arts Comm. Parks Comm. Planning Comm.
DATE: 12/4/06
RECOMMENDATIONS:
SPONSOR/ADMEN. Recommend implementation of Jail Alternative Program
CoMMITii E Information and Discussion
COST IMPACT FUND SOURCE
EXPENDITURE REQUIRED AMOUNT BUDGETED APPROPRIATION REQUIRED
Fund Source: BUDGETED IN 2006
Cc mments:
VITG. DATE RECORD- O E= COUNCIL ACTION I
I 03/12/07 1 Meeting Cancelled 1
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MTG. DATE ATTACHMENTS
03/12/07 Information Memo dated 3/12/07
Minutes from Finance and Safety Committee of 12/4/06
03/19/07 Sari as above
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7� uk:vvila Municipal Court QP °J 0 s
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Tukwila, Washington 98188 -2599
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Kimberly A. Walden LaTricia R. Kinlow
Presiding Judge Court Administrator
To: Tukwila City Council
From: Kimberly A. Walden, Presiding Judge
Date: March 12, 2007
Subject: Work Crew Alternative Concept Proposal
ISSUE:
In 2005, Tukwila's City Council raised concern over offenders participating in the
County's work -crew program without the City of Tukwila benefiting from their
participation.' The Council increased the Court's 2006 budget for the purpose of funding
a part -time work crew supervisor. Judge Walden, the Court Administrator and
Probation Officer teleconferenced with the City of Olympia Probation Coordinator
regarding their work crew program. She discussed work crew situations that raised
significant concerns regarding liability. In addition she firmly believed that a part -time
work crew officer scenario would be "impossible" as the program would require full -time
coverage.
BACKGROUND:
On March 22, 2006, the Court hosted a joint meeting with the Administrative Services
Director and the City Attorney to discuss the Council's request for a City sponsored
Work -Crew and share the information we received from Olympia. The consensus of all
involved parties is a work -crew program may create considerable liability for the City.
Based on these meetings and discussions with other agencies (City of Seattle Municipal
Court, Kent, Auburn, Renton Probation, and various criminal justice organizations), we
propose the following alternative program.
RECOMMENDATION: Jail Alternative Program
The court recognizes the need to move from the "business as usual" approach
traditionally used in the criminal justice system. With the increased jail expense for
housing defendants and with the recent rulings involving DUI offenders and the court's
expected role in monitoring the offenders, it is time for the court to rethink the way we
do business. Therefore we propose the Jail Alternative Program. The program would
address the Council's desire to create a work crew program that directly benefits our
community and may significantly reduce jail costs.
Proaram's Three Prongs
Defendants who are ordered to serve a jail commitment may (if not explicitly
prohibited) apply with the Jail Alternative Specialist (J.A.S.) to serve their time through
the Jail Alternative Program. Defendants would pay a $25.00 application fee plus
$10.00 per day in costs for prongs 1 and 2.
1. Community Work Alternative
Local non profit organizations and City Departments can elect to participate
Defendants may select organization to perform community work service
Volunteer organization will supervise and report service to J.A.S.
Jail Credit:
7 Hours 1 Day of Service
1 Day of Service 2 Days Jail
Jail Expenditure Savings
Current Alternative
Expense Income /Savings
2 Days 2 Days Tukwila 7 Savings Savings
COMMUNITY Jail in Hours Work Differential Differential
WRK. ALT King Jail on Alternative for 2 Days in for 2 Days
County Renton Income King County Renton
11 Defendant 383 140 451 428.00 185.00
2. Day Reporting
Held Every Friday (except jury week) 8:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m.
Released for 1 hour lunch period (12:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m.)
Defendants will remain in courtroom (see Day Reporting Information Sheet for
details)
Jail Credit:
2 days Day Reporting 3 Days Jail
Jail Expenditure Savings
Current Alternative
Expense Income /Savings
3 Days 3 Days Tukwila 2 Days Savings Savings
DAY Jail in Jail in r Day Reporting Differential Differential
REPORTING King Renton Income for 3 Days for 3 Days
County King County Renton
11 Defendant 481 210 45 526.00 255.00
3. Pre -trial Electronic Home Monitoring (EHM)
City currently pays $15.00 per day to Renton Police Department to monitor pre-
trial Electronic Home Monitoring
Court will maintain 3 5 pieces of equipment at a rate of $5.00 per day when in
use
Optional equipment will be used for monitoring blood alcohol level for D.U.I
cases (S.C.R.A.M.)
Jail Expenditure Savings
Current Alternative
Expense Income /Savings
Jail 1 Week Savings Savings
EHM 1 week Renton Tukwila EHM Differential Differential
in Yakima EHM (1 Week) for 1 Week for 1 Week
Yakima Renton
11 Defendants! 476.491 130.00:1 35.00 441.491 95.00
In 2006, the City Council increased the Court's budget for funding a part -time work
crew program specialist. The Court would use the allocation to fund the part -time Jail
Alternative Specialist position. The Position Description Questionnaire has been
forwarded to Human Services and is being processed at this time.
We thank you for your time and consideration. Please feel free to contact us if we can
provide additional information.
Tukwila Municipal Court
Jail Alternative Specialist
Classification Title: Administrative Support Specialist .50
Work Schedule:
Monday 8:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m.
AM Pretrial Home Monitoring set -up
Jail Alternative Appointment Scheduling
PM Public Defender Screening
Wednesday 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m.
Paperwork processing
Jail Alternative Appointment Scheduling
Agency Visits
Friday 8:00 a.m. 4:30 p.m.
Day Reporting
Jail Alternative Appointments
Finance Safety Committee
December 4, 2006 5:00 p.m.
Present: Pam Carter, Chair; Jim Haggerton and Verna Griffin, Council members.
Rhonda Berry, City Administrator; Kevin Fuhrer Director of Finance; Mindy Breiner, Court
Probation Officer; Diane Jenkins, Administrative Assistant to the City Council; Gail Labanara,
Public Works Analyst; and Chuck Parrish, community member.
Business Aeenda
A. Work Crew alternative concept and proposal
Ms. Breiner related that in 2005, the city council raised concern with offenders participating in the County's
work crew program without the City benefiting from participation. In the 2005 budget, .5 FTE was
allocated for a work crew supervisor. Judge Walden spoke with multiple agencies and cities discussing the
ork crew program. Significant concerns regarding liability to the city were raised along with the expenses
to provide necessary equipment such as `gloves, rain gear, water, tools, and other supplies. Also a .5 FTE
position is not sufficient to provide adequate supervision. She further pointed out that there is a high failure
rate of offenders completing their assignments. For example, in the City of Tacoma, 80% of the people
assigned for work crew failed to appear and of those who appeared, only 50% returned after lunch. A jail
alternative program has been developed. This alternative program will help to reduce jail costs for the city.
It will also provide education to offenders and offer community service to agencies and city departments.
Ms. Breiner related that this would be a voluntary program. Offenders would pay a $25 application fee and
$10 daily fee. These costs may be waived if an offender is indigent. Based on the application, an offender
could participate in a community work alternative (7 hours of community work 1 day service 2 days of
jail time); participate in day reporting (on Fridays only when court is closed) wherein offenders would serve
their time in the courtroom and educational videos would be shown on a variety of topics such as consumer
awareness, drug and alcohol (2 days of day reporting 3 days of jail time); or participate in pre -trial
electronic home monitoring. She reviewed the cost savings to the city. Ms. Breiner related that there is far
less liability with this type of program and everyone who meets the criteria would be eligible to participate.
She noted that if offenders do not complete their commitment, the entire jail time would be served. The
goal is to implement this program by the end of January. Mr. Haggerton expressed concern with having to
hire additional staff to staff this program. Ms. Breiner noted that there would be limits on the number of
people participating in the program. Ms. Carter assumed that standards would be set. Ms. Breiner replied
that there would be no electronic devices, no sleeping, no offensive reading material, etc. The goal would
be to provide information which would focus on the crimes committed by a group of people. Ms. Carter
asked about the next steps. Ms. Berry stated that the council authorized a work crew and what is proposed
is different but accomplishes the objectives identified. This information will be shared with the full council
in January. This position is in the proposed budget. Ms. Breiner indicated that steps are in place to begin
the hiring process. Information Only.
B. Year End Budget Documents
1) Ordinance amending the 2006 budget
Mr. Fuhrer highlighted amendments to the 2006 budget. He noted that the budget is monitored mid -year to
assess actual expenditures. He reviewed the proposed amendments which have been discussed throughout
the year. In the General Fund, under revenues, budget adjustments were proposed for Sound Transit
Mitigation, Natural Gas Use Tax, and Building Permits. Under expenditures, adjustments were proposed to
cover finance claims and judgments, special legal matters, and the aerial purchase (equipment/supplies)
through Sound Transit Mitigation. Under Fire Equipment Cumulative Reserve 107, under revenues and
expenditures, adjustments were made due to Sound Transit Mitigation. The ordinance will be presented for
adoption at the December 11 special council meeting. Unanimous approval to forward to 12/11 Special
Meeting for adoption.