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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0448.003 2014-2016 J�SYOFN�i''. DANIEL K. PALEKA JR. .-'cP,.•'��: Phone: (808)961-8026 Council District 5—Puna Mauka " 7• Fax: (808)961-8912 •� � � ,'�'' Email: dpaleka@hawaiicounty.gov • os•N.M HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL County of Hawai 25Aupuni Street, Suite 1402 (;AUNTY arm Hilo, Hawaii 96720 COUNTY OF SAWAI1= RECEIVED Time % By October 16, 2015 Date o /is TO: Dru Mamo Kanuha, Council Chair and Members of the Hawai`i County Council FROM: 1�� Daniel K. Paleka Jr., Council Member SUBJECT: Proposed Amendments to Resolution No. 268-15; a resolution enlisting the County of Hawai`i in the Stepping Up Initiative to reduce the number of jailed persons with mental illnesses. Please find attached proposed amendments to Resolution No. 268-15. The proposed amendments are illustrated below by Ramseyer format with respect to the contents of Resolution 268-15 (material to be deleted is bracketed and stricken, material to be added is underscored): 1. The title is amended to read as follows: A RESOLUTION ENLISTING THE COUNTY OF HAWAII IN THE STEPPING UP INITIATIVE TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF [JVD] PERSONS WITH MENTAL ILLNESSES IN HAWAII COMMUNITY CORRECTIONAL CENTER. 2. The second whereas clause is amended to read as follows: "WHEREAS, the Hawaii Island Going Home Consortium supports the nationwide Stepping Up Initiative to reduce [the number] recidivism of incarcerated persons with mental illnesses that are charged with non-violent offenses; and" 3. The final be it resolved clause is amended to read as follows: "BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall transmit a copy of this resolution to Department of Public Safety Director Nolan Espinda, Department of Health Director Dr. Virginia Pressler, Chief of Police Harry Kubojiri, Prosecuting Attorney Mitch Roth, The Honorable Ronald Ibarra, Chief Judge of the Third Circuit Court, [and] Deputy Public Defender Michael Ebesugawa, and Warden Peter Cabreros of Hawai`i Community Correctional Center." L v Comm. No. 1 0 . j Serving the Interests of the People of Our Island Ref. To: Pf ps M 7'L,•- Hawai`i County Is an Equal Opportunity Provider And Employer Ref. Dote OCT 2 0 2015 A draft copy of Resolution No. 268-15, Draft 2, is attached with the proposed amendments incorporated. DP/nm Att. A RESOLUTION ENLISTING THE COUNTY OF HAWAI'I IN THE STEPPING UP INITIATIVE TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF PERSONS WITH MENTAL ILLNESSES IN HAWAII COMMUNITY CORRECTIONAL CENTER. WHEREAS, the Hawai'i Island Going Home Consortium is a formally organized effort among more than 50 public and private entities working together on Hawai'i Island to help reintegrate former criminal offenders into the community and the workplace; and WHEREAS, the Hawai'i Island Going Home Consortium supports the nationwide Stepping Up Initiative to reduce recidivism of incarcerated persons with mental illnesses that are charged with non-violent offenses; and WHEREAS, the State of Hawai'i Department of Public Safety operates correctional facilities in Hawaii County, but in 44 states nationwide the counties routinely provide treatment services to the estimated two million people with serious mental illnesses booked into jail each year; and WHEREAS, the State of Hawai'i Department of Health provides services to improve the mental health of Hawai'i's people by reducing the prevalence of emotional disorders and mental illnesses with services that include mental health education, treatment and rehabilitation through community-based mental health centers; and WHEREAS, the prevalence of persons with serious mental illnesses in jails are three to six times higher than in the general public; almost three-quarters of adults with serious mental illnesses in jails have co-occurring substance use disorders; and a significant proportion of adults with mental illnesses in jails are chronically homeless; and WHEREAS, adults with mental illnesses tend to stay longer in jail and upon release are at a higher risk of recidivism than people without these disorders; and WHEREAS, incarceration costs two to three times more for adults with mental illnesses that require interventions compared to those without these treatment needs; and WHEREAS, without the appropriate treatment and services, people with mental illnesses continue to cycle through the criminal justice system, often resulting in tragic outcomes for these individuals and their families; and WHEREAS, the continuous cycling of people with mental illnesses between jail and the community strains county resources for law enforcement, first responders, and social services; and WHEREAS, Hawai'i County takes pride in its responsibility to protect and enhance the health, welfare, and safety of its residents in efficient and cost-effective ways; and WHEREAS, through the Stepping Up Initiative, the National Association of Counties, the Council of State Governments Justice Center, and the American Psychiatric Foundation, are encouraging public, private, and nonprofit partners to reduce the number of people with mental illnesses in jails; and WHEREAS, Hawai'i County may become a part of the Stepping Up Initiative by approving a resolution in support of the Call to Action, a six-point commitment that focuses on developing a plan that can be enacted in Hawai'i County and in counties across the nation; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI'I that the Council signs on to the Call to Action in support of efforts to reduce the number of incarcerated persons with mental illnesses and urges the Director of the Department of Public Safety and the Director of the Department of Health ("Directors") to do the same. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Directors are urged to commit to sharing lessons learned with other counties across the country to support a national initiative and encourage others to participate in Stepping Up. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Directors are urged to use the comprehensive resources available through Stepping Up and the information available on the website stepuptogether.org to: 1. Convene or draw on a diverse team of leaders and decision makers from multiple agencies committed to safely reducing the number of people with mental illnesses in jails. 2. Collect and review prevalence numbers and assess individuals' needs to better identify adults entering jails with mental illnesses and their recidivism risk, and use that baseline information to guide decision making at the system, program, and case levels. 3. Examine treatment and service capacity to determine which programs and services are available in the county for people with mental illnesses and co-occurring substance use disorders, and identify state and local policy and funding barriers to minimizing contact with the justice system and providing treatment and support in the community. 4. Develop a plan with measurable outcomes that draws on the jail assessment and prevalence data and the examination of available treatment and service capacity, while considering identified barriers. 5. Implement research-based approaches that advance the plan. 6. Create a process to track progress using data and information systems, and to report on successes. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawai'i Police Department, the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, the Hawai'i State Judiciary and the Office of the Public Defender are urged to work with the Directors to reduce the number of persons in jail with mental illnesses and in support of the Stepping Up Initiative. BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall transmit a copy of this resolution to Department of Public Safety Director Nolan Espinda, Department of Health Director Dr. Virginia Pressler, Chief of Police Harry Kubojiri, Prosecuting Attorney Mitch Roth, The Honorable Ronald Ibarra, Chief Judge of the Third Circuit Court, Deputy Public Defender Michael Ebesugawa, and Warden Peter Cabreros of Hawai`i Community Correctional Center.