Community Corrections reports March caseloads and warns state law changes may raise detention days

Megan Lewis, Community Corrections (S7), presented the department's March report and highlighted caseload details and legislative changes likely to increase detention use.

Lewis said Community Corrections completed 15 intakes in March; most (15) were released to a parent or guardian, one to a neighbor/family friend, two to relatives, two to a DCF contractor/worker and three were placed in detention. For the youth court immediate intervention program Lewis reported 38 participants in Bridal County and 5 from Clay County. Juvenile intensive supervision included 19 individuals, 13 of whom were living in the community on supervision; three were at the correctional facility, two were out on conditional release and one was courtesy-supervisioned to another judicial district.

On the adult side, Lewis said adult intensive services included a total of 85 on supervision, four in treatment, 14 in jail, for a total of 103 active cases with 36 absconders. The department's recovery court program showed 19 participants in March with cumulative participation since the program began totaling 70; Lewis said 8 participants graduated from Clay County and 23 from Riley County.

Lewis flagged two legislative changes that could increase detention days and commitments: Senate Bill 358, which will require certain felony defendants to be held without bond until sentencing, and House Bill 2329, which authorizes judges to commit juveniles for certain probation technical violations and increases cumulative detention limits. Lewis told commissioners those changes are expected to raise local detention days and associated expenses.

Commissioners acknowledged the report and asked staff to monitor impacts to county detention costs and capacity as the new laws take effect.