JUDICIARY AND LAW COMMITTEE

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Administrative Center – Room 3220

2:30 p.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Vicki Burke, Joe Bilskemper, Ray Ebert, Maureen Freedland, Joe Veenstra, Bridget Flood (arr @2:42)          

MEMBERS EXCUSED:  Tara Johnson       

MEMBERS ABSENT:  None 

STAFF & GUESTS:  Jay Loeffler, Jeff Wolf, Doris Daggett, Mike Kiefer, Steve O’Malley, Dave Steinhoff, Sharon Hampson, Tom Rauk, Cheryl Stephen

CALL TO ORDER

Committee Chair Vicki Burke called the meeting to order at 2:32 p.m. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Committee Chair Burke noted a correction needed to the minutes of June 10, 2008, that being on page 3 under the “review of Emergency Dispatch procedures and policy regarding hung-up phone calls, the sentence of:  Jay noted that La Crosse County gets approximately 115 abandoned calls on a daily basis, that should read as:  “On the day of the Madison murder in which the murder victim’s phone was a hung-up, Dane County had received 115 abandoned calls.”  MOTION by Bilskemper/Freedland to approve minutes of June 10, 2008, including the noted correction.  Motion carried unanimously; Johnson excused; Flood absent. 

CONSENT AGENDA

MOTION by Veenstra/Freedland to accept and file the following Consent Agenda items:

• Criminal Justice Management Council minutes of June 18, 2008
• Criminal Justice Management Council Executive Committee minutes of June 11, 2008

Motion carried unanimously; Johnson excused; Flood absent. 

PUBLIC COMMENT

None requested.

PROPOSAL FOR CITY OF LA CROSSE TO USE LA CROSSE COUNTY RADIO TOWER SITE

Jay Loeffler reviewed the matter using an overhead map.  Dave Steinhoff (radio technician) was also present to answer any questions.  The City of La Crosse has requested to add a tower repeater on to a County radio tower as they have limited coverage in far southern portion of the City in an area of the Shrine, Waterford Valley and Pineview Mobile Home Park.  The City would like to put a repeater on a US Cellular tower that will give them connectivity to the County Dispatch Center; this will require space on the County Bluff Tower for microwave dish; there is ample space and there is no cost to the County.  It will be a temporary placement until the City installs their new system.  It will benefit public safety communications, including the La Crosse departments of Police, Fire and Public Works.  MOTION by Ebert/Veenstra to approve, as presented, the City of La Crosse proposal to use La Crosse County radio tower site.  Motion carried unanimously; Johnson excused; Flood absent.

PRESENTATION BY JAIL PROGRAM COORDINATOR – MIKE KIEFER

Mike Kiefer gave an overview of the jail programs, including a 5-page handout.  He first reviewed a snapshop of 30 inmates using an assessment tool called LSI which was done over a 2-week period, though excluding those who were incarcerated 1 week or less.  Statistics included such information as:

gender, ethnic ID, level of risk, criminal history, education, employment, family, companions/peers, housing, alcohol/drug problems, emotional/mental issues, and financial issues.  Results showed; most inmates were low to moderate risk which means that Justice Sanctions removing of low risk is working.  About half of them were first in trouble with the law at the age of 14-15; 70% had/have alcohol or drug problems; 63% have moderate emotional issues/7% severe; 83% have criminal friends; 53% unemployed; 33% had no education beyond 10^th grade and 53% not completing 12 years; 67% noting financial problems.  Discussion and miscellaneous questions on the above inmate snapshop.  Supervisor Veenstra suggested in the next snapshop to ask question(s) relating to driver licenses; many do not know the process of getting them back.

Mike reviewed the following jail programs in detail:  1) adult education-GED/HSED, 2) alcoholics anonymous and AODA education, 3) narcotics anonymous, 4) nicotine cessation education, 5) behavioral rewards program, 6) bible study and bible study advanced 7) coping skills and coping skills advanced, 8) employment skills, 9) exercise/recreation program, 10) health education, 11) inmate newsletter, 12) inmate special work detail, 13) leisure education, 14) library/book exchange, 15) movie night, 16) personality education, 17) storybook program, and 18) worship services.  All programs are 100% voluntary.

Currently have one full-time instructor provided by WTC which is paid from a grant.  In addition, accept applications from volunteers who want to assist with the programs and also offer internship program to college students.  For more information or information on volunteering, visit the website:  http://www.co.la-crosse.wi.us/Sheriff/divisions/jail/.

PRESENTATION / ORIENTATION BY SHERIFF RE PATROL AND JAIL

Jeff Wolf and Doris Daggett attended the meeting on behalf of Sheriff Helgeson as he was attending a State DARE meeting in which County Officer John Siegel is receiving the State DARE Officer of the Year Award.

Doris Daggett gave an overview of the Jail that included discussion.  Highlights as follows:

• Certified for 211 beds (39 female and 172 male) and not included are those in receiving and in medical.
• Eight pods for males ranging from 17-30 inmates which are setup by classification
• Have one block setup for special privileges – extra perks for those that follow the rules
• Statistics for 2007:  bookings (78% males/22% females); seeing an increase in females
• 2007 average daily population 187; starting out in 2008 it was 149 and as of yesterday at 199
• Health Professionals Ltd. provides health care with nursing coverage 15 hours per day; a doctor visits 2-3 hours per week
• Aramark provides food service
• Mental health services are provided by Human Services equal to half-time position, including on-call service with Dr. Trannel
• Have Jail Ministry with a Chaplain who coordinates jail ministry volunteers
• Have a Jail Program Coordinator that is now incorporating many jail inmate programs; La Crosse County is far advanced in this area as compared to other counties.
• Total of 48 Jailers with 6 Sgts.  For 2009, will ask for 5 additional Jailer positions as needed for the new addition.

Jeff Wolf gave an overview of the Sheriff’s Dept. noting 3 divisions:  Jail, Patrol and Investigative.  Patrol division has 41 sworn officers with 18 as Road Patrol Deputies with 5 Sgts.  For 2007, handled 21,548 service calls; thus far for 2008, seeing 3.2% increase.  Other assignments include:  Process Service, DARE Program, GREAT Program, training officer/coordinator, Boat Patrol, Goose Island Park patrol, evidence/property oversight, rep. on Highway Safety Committee, 15 on the Emergency Response Team, hostage negotiators, assistance with funeral processions, and doing more community involvement. 

Investigative division has 4 Investigators.  Thefts are considerably higher this year, such as copper, radio transmission towers, etc.  Also oversight of the Drug Task Force for a 5-county area.  Other areas of involvement include:  child protection internet crimes task force, identity theft task force, and meth lab investigations.  In addition, have 7 office staff who are responsible for all dictation, reports to the State, courts, DA, etc., and do all the billings. 

ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS

• Presentation / Orientation by Clerk of Courts
• Overview of Justice Sanctions

NEXT MEETING

Tuesday, August 12 at 2:30 p.m.

NEXT LEC CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE MEETING

Tuesday, August 12 at 4:00 p.m.  (July 22^nd meeting not needed.)

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION by Veenstra/Ebert to adjourn the meeting.  Motion carried unanimously; Johnson excused.  The meeting adjourned at 3:51 p.m.

Disclaimer:  The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.

Cheryl Stephen, Recorder