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Polk County reviews justice-reinvestment closeout and recent recidivism numbers
Summary
County staff reviewed 2023–25 justice-reinvestment closeout guidance, explained the progress-report process and said recidivism measures show an increase in arrests though the cohort under review is small (22 vs. a typical 30–35), which can exaggerate month-to-month fluctuations.
Jody Merritt summarized closeout guidance for the 2023–25 biennium and said the Criminal Justice Commission’s reporting requires progress reports but a formal vote is only necessary when the program or budget changes. Merritt told the group the county’s closeout activity for that biennium closed in December and noted some unusual timing because the state delayed application and funding processing.
Merritt said the county’s recidivism measures show an increase in arrests but cautioned the cohort examined is small. "That body of people is at 22 right now," Merritt said, compared with a usual cohort size of roughly 30–35; she noted small sample sizes can cause volatility in percentage measures. Board members asked staff to provide deeper, month-by-month or case-level breakdowns to explain the trend.
Merritt also addressed budget questions: the reinvestment award did not allocate administrative costs and did not fully fund requested prescriber hours. Staff said they are reviewing overlapping grants and may pursue budget adjustments to support prescriber hours, and that the current biennium funds must be spent by Aug. 31, with no extensions allowed.
Members pressed for clearer metrics tying the jail mental-health position, a halftime case manager in the community and prescriber hours to measurable reductions in prison use and recidivism; staff said those program-level objectives remain under development and that further data will be requested and shared.
