According to a recently completed study of incarceration and the local criminal justice system, Monroe County has uncovered a number of “critical issues” that “require urgent attention and remediation.” 

Initiated in 2019, the “cornerstone-purpose of this study was twofold: 1) gain a clearer understanding of jail conditions and court related practices, and 2) obtain recommendations for improving incarceration and court- related practices that would improve their effectiveness on behalf of the community if implemented.”

The findings of the study, consolidated into a single report, lead researchers to suggest that “The jail must be replaced with a facility that is designed prescriptively for sustainable cost-effectiveness, improved safety and security, and to accommodate the implementation of an array of best practices that improve inmate care and custody and reduce recidivism.”

In a special joint meeting this past Wednesday the board of county commissioners and the county council heard from experts Eve Hill and Dr. Kenneth Ray, both of whom were involved in the study and able to share their findings with the audience. Board of commissioners President Julie Thomas prefaced the guest speakers by briefly sharing the context that led this study to be conducted.

“Just a brief introduction about this report, and when we say report there is a written report available on our homepage co.monroe.in.us … in 2019 Monroe County engaged with a group of expert consultants in order to help us review every part of our county’s criminal justice system. The county commissioners, county council, prosecuting attorney, the sheriff, the board of judges, we all made a commitment to reform and review Monroe County’s criminal justice system. The justice system includes any public employee, from a public agency that engages with a person and that could be anything from an interaction by law enforcement, and if convicted through the end of probation, and everything in between. 

The consultants gathered data on corrections and the criminal justice system, our local social service agencies, and incorporated input from four community conversations that were held in the summer of 2019. Community justice mediation provided the framework for some of those very interesting conversations that we had and, of course, COVID provided us with a bit of a delay in getting this report completed. Those conversations with community members also informed our study…

And so tonight we have the opportunity to hear from Ms. Hill and Dr. Ray; they are going to explain what was learned in the study of Monroe County’s justice system as well as the county’s strengths and gaps analysis. This is a community meeting, so the public will have the opportunity to ask our consultants questions and to offer comments. We are all here to listen and learn.”

The meeting was organized to allow for a presentation of the study from Hill and Dr. Ray, with the following time set aside for questions and comments from community members in attendance. Hill and Dr. Ray, speaking first and second respectively, broke down their findings and explained how the data justified the recommendations contained within the reports.

“Our task was to look at what is leading people with mental illness and substance use disorders into jail in the first place and back into jail after initial incarcerations, and to explore opportunities for intervention other than arrest or detention for people with mental illness and substance abuse disorders. So we are looking at avoidance, detention, and avoiding recidivism. Importantly, our recommendations apply whether or not a new jail is built. These improvements will help Monroe County avoid simply refilling any new facility.