On going issue regarding a non-profit arm of Department of Corrections and Jackson County Courts - Community Corrections and Court Referral.
UPDATE - November 22, 2017 The Clarion Article
Link:http://www.theclarion.org/index.php/news/top-stories/390-commission-discusses-community-corrections
EMAIL - County Commission requested CPA Examiners Statement
(Click on image for an expanded view.)
Daily Sentinel Article (must subscribe to receive full article)
UPDATE November 18, 2017
Regardless of the comments of political, judicial or officials of Community Corrections/Court Referral there is no Federal Certified Laboratory for drug testing in Jackson County Alabama or the entire State of Alabama. There needs to be local improvements, drug abuse is a mental health care problem, more so than a legal problem. Mental health care funding in Alabama has decreased and Medicaid funding is not provided under the Affordable Care Act in Alabama.
In Jackson County Alabama, the acceptance of drug testing laboratories whose standards do not meet Federal Standards, and where the local legal standards do not meet the standards of employment law nor Department of Transportation requirements of drug testing is ridiculous and not supportive of a just legal system. This problem is simple to correct, there is no will to do so as it would mean following a set of just legal standards which insure a system of checks and balances not present currently regarding drug testing of those clients in the Court Referral system in Jackson County. Laboratories meeting federal legal standards of drug testing laboratories: https://www.samhsa.gov/workplace/resources/drug-testing/certified-lab-list
The failure to require Court Referral clients testing positive to not be called in and informed of test results immediately when a positive test is demonstrated is a failure of due process. The failure to not have two sealed sample containers with urine as is the standard of practice is not only a failure of due process of law and a violation of standards of practice but an excuse to incarcerate without due process of law. To wait weeks, over a month, before notification after a known positive test result is ridiculous and demonstrates a failure of our legal system involving Court Referral. The bottom line - there needs to be improvement regarding drug abuse treatment and the organizations involved in drug testing in Jackson County Alabama.
Here you will find the facts and figures and what is needed: https://www.samhsa.gov/criminal-juvenile-justice and https://www.samhsa.gov/gains-center
UPDATE: November 16, 2017
Agenda Item 14 on the
County Commission Agenda - Community Corrections resulted in a continuation of
Monday’s meeting today at 10:30 AM. The meeting lasted approximately one and half hours.
The Jackson County
Commission will consider whether to change the Court Referral - Community
Corrections status from a non-profit organization to an organization under the
purview of the Jackson County Commission.
Concerns have been brought
forward regarding accountability and procedures of the Court Referral Program.
The issue was further tabled to be discussed and decided upon at another
meeting. Interviews by WHNT-TV of Judge Holt and Commissioner Guffey were aired
on the 5PM News cast. Link: http://whnt.com/2017/11/16/jackson-county-commissions-continues-a-two-year-investigation-on-the-countys-corrections-system/
The Court Referral Program
falls under the Code of Alabama http://codes.findlaw.com/al/title-12-courts/al-code-sect-12-23-4.html
Community Corrections is
governed by Alabama 2003 Department of Corrections Act http://sentencingcommission.alacourt.gov/Legislation/cc_summ.htm
Administrative Procedures and auditing http://www.doc.state.al.us/CommCorrections.aspx
Commissioner Jeffrey
Williams from the Alabama Department of Corrections was present and made a
comprehensive presentation; Judge Jennifer Holt, Presiding Judge Jackson County
Circuit Court; Jackson County District Court Judge Donald Word: Jackson County
Courts Clerk Donna Barksdale; Director of Community Corrections Mike Brown;
Director of Court Referral Brandon Brown were present; Jennifer Lackey from the
Lackey Law Firm who are the attorneys of record for the Jackson County
Community Corrections and Court Referral Office; Parker Edmiston of the
Edmiston Law Firm attended.
Videos, Part 1 & 2 November 16, 2017 Commission meeting continuation
PHOTOS
Videos, Part 1 & 2 November 16, 2017 Commission meeting continuation
PHOTOS
Department of Corrections Commissioner Jeffrey Williams makes presentation to commissioners. (photo by G. Morgan)
Presideing Circuit Court Judge Jennifer Holt discusses her concerns with Commission; Commissioner Tim Guffey in foreground listens. (photo by G. Morgan)
Community Corrections Director Mike Brown answers questions. Commission Chair Mike Ashburn on right; Attorney Jennifer Lackey of the Lackey Law Firm and District Judge Don Word.
(photo by G. Morgan)
VIDEO (Nov. 13, 2017)
Regarding Agenda Item 14, Community Corrections Court Referral
Scottsboro, Alabama November 13, 2017 Jackson County Commission Agenda Item 14 Motion to Discuss Community Corrections. Motion was made to go into an Executive Session to discuss Good Name and Character. "Incompetent . . . Incomplete" says, in part, requested report by Jackson County Commission referring to Community Corrections accountability. I was informed by a confidential source that Judge Holt was present prior to the Commission meeting to express alleged displeasure with agenda item 14, Community Corrections. Mr. Porter, County Attorney, was asked if Judge Holt was present during the Executive Session on agenda item 14, he stated "no comment."
Commission Meeting was continued until Thursday, 16 Nov. 2017 at 10:30 AM regarding Agenda Item 14; Department of Corrections will be present. Blog posts regarding Court Referral and Community Corrections: http://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/Jackson%20County%20Community%20Corrections%20and%20Court%20Referral
AGENDA
Jackson County's Web Site is up and operating: Jackson County's web site is up and operating, obvious a work in progress. http://jacksoncountyal.gov/
VIDEO of MEETING
VIDEO PHOTO CAPTURE PHOTOS
Mr. Johnson, County Engineer, discusses best option for bridge project on CR 92.
Dr Reyes, Superintendent Scottsboro City Schools, discusses schools with Commission.
Commissioner listens to presentation on employee health insurance plans.
Commissioners discuss going into Executive Session regarding good name and character involving Court Referral - Community Corrections issue.
No comments:
Post a Comment