Jeralita Costa, Ed Crawford, Doug Jacques, Debra Latimer, Bill Lehning, Andre Loh, Randy Loomans, Runette Mitchell, Bruce Thompson, Julie Wilson, Marvin Wolff, Cynthia Sachs (staff), Jill Will (staff)

George Hughes, Snohomish County Corrections, for Andrea Bynum; Linda Willenburg, Department of Corrections, for Howard Yarbrough

Greg DePaul, Whatcom County Sheriff's Office; Dan Fitzgerald, Whatcom County Sheriff's Office; Pete Kremen, Whatcom County Executive; Steve Paus, Whatcom County Juvenile Court; Coralee Priddy, Whatcom County Sheriff's Advisory Committee; Bill Weiss, Cowlitz County Corrections

Chair Bruce Thompson welcomed the guests and thanked those attending. He officially called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m.

Members were greeted by Pete Kremen, Whatcom County Executive

Bruce Thompson introduced and welcomed new board member, Cowlitz County Commissioner Bill Lehning.

At 10:15 members toured the Whatcom County Alternative Programs Building and the Whatcom County Jail.

Presentations
Alternative Corrections Program

Dan Fitzgerald presented Whatcom County's Alternative Corrections Program. Begun in 1997, the program is designed to reduce recidivism by providing "offenders with the opportunity to positively change their behavior through the use of educational, vocational and rehabilitative programs…" Included in these programs are work crews, off-site special detention, electronic monitoring, and special programs. There is a strong emphasis on substance abuse prevention, and offenders participating in the alternative programs attend a mandatory drug and alcohol treatment program that includes random testing. All alternative program participants are screened for eligibility onsite.

The alternative programs are designed to provide life guidance, and results indicate the Alternative Corrections Program is working: after only a two-year period, the recidivism rate for those inmates who participated in the program and received treatment was reduced to 38%, while the general jail population's recidivism rate remained at 75-80%.

Whatcom County saved nearly $1,000,000 in 2000 by having approximately 100 alternative corrections program inmates go to work in the county instead of being kept in jail. Currently, revenue for the program is generated through business the jail develops with city and county agencies. Increased community involvement may help the program reach its goal of revenue neutrality, meaning inmate labor will pay for itself.

Steve Paus presented the Home Port Learning Center-Whatcom County's alternative corrections program for juvenile offenders. The Home Port Learning Center was started with two grants and opened in 1994. Since 1995 the program has been funded by Whatcom County's seven school districts, the Juvenile Probation Department, contributions from the general public, and special project grants.
Like the adult alternative corrections programs, Home Port also has the goals of teaching life skills and reducing recidivism. The program combines experiential education with vocational training, counseling, remediation and G.E.D. preparation, and hands-on experience, all in an atmosphere that teaches pro-social skills. By using a maritime focus that includes boat building, Home Port works to engage and empower its participants in an environment that strives to maximize the participants' potential for learning. Following the maritime theme, students learn to "navigate" through life experiences and choices.

It was moved and seconded that the minutes of the April 20, 2001 meeting be approved. The motion carried.

There was discussion on some of the items in the Director's report.

Apprenticeship Information Pilot Project (AIPP)
Commissioner Lehning indicated Cowlitz County definitely would be interested in AIPP expanding into his county. There is concern, however, that since 95% of construction apprenticeship programs are unionized, there may not be enough jobs to support the program in his area

Julie Wilson announced that two potentially useful reports are slated to come out soon. The first is on high-wage, high-demand jobs, and should help us identify which counties to target for AIPP. The second is being put together by the Northwest Policy Center (Paul Sommers) and forecasts types of jobs by geographic area over the next 5-10 years..

• CARRYOVER ACTION ITEM: Randy Loomans, Julie Wilson, Bruce Thompson and Jeralita Costa-form a committee to review funding options to continue the Apprenticeship Information Pilot Project beyond the pilot phase.
  
  
• ACTION ITEM: Julie Wilson-provide contact information to Jill Will so she can order reports.
  
  
• ACTION ITEM: Randy Loomans-distribute copy of announcement of the October 11 & 12 Workforce Development Conference in Walla Walla entitled "Connecting the Dots for Economic Vitality: Workforce Strategies 2001."
  

Driver's License Recovery
Snohomish County is interested in trying to set up a driver's license recovery program. Doug Jacques indicated there are a number of such programs throughout the state that should be checked into for both completeness and cost-effectiveness.

• ACTION ITEM: Julie Wilson and Doug Jacques-research driver's license recovery program options.

Ed Crawford spoke of the need for a large-scale effort to educate both offenders and the general public on the process of how to get licenses back. The National Institute of Corrections has identified driver's license recovery as countrywide issue and is working on putting together guidance for the states.

Fines and Fees-Public Safety and Education Account (PSEA)
Jeralita Costa reported there's a movement on to cut fines. She also noted that programs funded under PSEA are related to public safety. Factor in reduced funding for county criminal justice, and she believes a driver's license recovery program will be a tough sell.

Costa added that counties have had problems collecting the fines and fees; however, she noted that Chelan County has set up a successful payment schedule-type billing system that is designed to motivate fee payment. Perhaps this approach could be implemented and used in other counties.

There was discussion about what role JIB should take in driving the change towards where/how the PSEA fines and fees are distributed, especially as it relates to driver's license recovery issues. It was agreed that a holistic and systemic change is necessary, but that JIB was not the entity to precipitate that change.

The current JIB budget of $110,000 per year does not include a line item for rent. JIB has been receiving in-kind support from the Washington State Association of Counties and the Washington Association of County Officials. The situation is slated to change when the two groups move to a new location. Julie Wilson suggested JIB-affected state agencies could contribute funds toward JIB's rent at the future location; other members agreed.

It was moved and seconded that the FY2002-2003 budget be approved

The Prison Industries Enhancement Certification Program (PIECP) certification has been extended for one more year. In the meantime, Clark County's Request for Proposals (RFP) deadline is fast approaching, and the county hopes to have a consultant soon thereafter. If it does not, Ms. Will will work with the county to identify the next steps to take.

Jill Will presented the PIECP marketing video and discussed related marketing materials. She noted that the materials are available to any jurisdiction that wants to market to potential business partners.

In lieu of the demonstration, all members will be provided with a CD ROM of the presentation for review and comment.

• ACTION ITEM: Jill Will-transfer PowerPoint presentation to CD ROM and distribute to all board members for comment.
  
  
• ACTION ITEM: All Board members-review the CD and provide comments/ suggestions to Ms. Will at or before the next board meeting.

• Establish on-going funding for the Labor Liaison position by 12/01.
  
• Establish an expanded services plan to reach other priority jurisdictions by 6/02.
  
• Secure base budget funding for the BOARD at $300,000 biannually. Establish contact with key legislators and build support for the additional funding prior to next year's legislative session.
  
• Have web site operational by 12/01. Add a section on types of work going on at various jurisdictions in the state. Have a Q&A section for sharing ideas and issues.
  
• Assist Clark County in securing a private sector industry program and secure compliance to PIE regulations. Work with BJA to maintain the Board's PIE certification.
  
• Continue to pursue the Salmon Enhancement funding with participating jurisdictions. Grow this funding level by 25% by 6/02.
  
• Improve tracking of jail inmate work by providing a tracking model on line with web site. Complete design by 6/02.

Dan Fitzgerald questioned whether fisheries recovery money could be earmarked for jail labor; it can not. However, salmon recovery grant money includes a provision allowing inmate labor to be counted towards the 15% local match requirement; this is a very important benefit to agencies applying for funding for inmate crews.