May - 20208GOVERNMENT CIO OUTLOOKIN MYOPINIONDerrick Peterson, President of the NW Chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) & Captain of Auxiliary Services Unit, Multnomah County Sheriff's OfficeByAdapting to New Challenges with Adults in Custody Adapting to New Challenges with Adults in CustodyA s budgets continue to diminish, it is predicted Corrections will face reductions in institutional capacity, specific to jails. This is primarily due to Criminal Justice and Corrections reform, and in part to funds being reallocated to major community challenges such as, homelessness, mental health, and the opioid crisis, which is largely systemic in metropolitan areas. The effect of budget reductions is projected to cause a negative cascading effect on multiple levels of Corrections operations to include;· Challenges in increased forced releases· Managing adults in custody with increased acute mental health and medical issues· Reduced work opportunities to adults in custody· Difficulties in recruiting qualified personnel· Introducing new technology that is balancedReduction in institutional capacity is expected to trigger the premature forced release of adults in custody to maintain populations supported by existing budgets. The forced release of those in custody will have an impact on communities since a significant amount of the individuals released will have been charged with higher levels of crimes, but have not been fully adjudicated. As adults are released precipitately through various release mechanisms, there is a risk to the community for re-offense and relapse. It will also have an impact on those in custody who are participating in self-help programs designed to prepare them for successful release into community programs. Many of those involved in these types of programs have expressed concern at the possibility of being released before they are prepared to take the next steps. They have found value in cognitive therapy and addressing the triggers that keep them in a cycle of recidivism and a destructive lifestyle.The result of these releases will continue the compression of the population, leaving a significant number of adults in custody with behavioral, medical, and mental health issues needing relative services and programs. Corrections must look to raise the standard of care by partnering with, and implementing successful programs and staffing models used in other, but somewhat similar industries, such as, Memory Care facilities. In facilities like these, staff has been successful in managing residents that display similar characteristics to many of those in custody. The introduction of new programs will only be successful through staff that is equipped, motivated, and compassionate. It is these attributes that will make a life-changing difference to those who have become entwined in a system not optimally designed for them. As this type of population increases, there will be a decrease in eligible/higher functioning adults in custody to place in on-site institutional jobs, designed not just to aid in budgetary matters, but also to promote self-esteem, give purpose, and instill transferable skills that can be used to obtain jobs in the community. The decrease in higher functioning adults in Derrick Peterson
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