Coordinating Criminal Justice Committee

The Taylor County Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance approving the creation of a Taylor County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) to improve the effectiveness and efficiencies of the local criminal justice system in August of 2016.

Responsibilities of the Taylor County CJCC are as follows:

• Develop local criminal justice policies designed to strengthen public safety, reduce recidivism, and improve offender and system accountability by strengthening the criminal justice system through the promotion of evidence-based practices, risk reduction programming, and implementation of effective strategies for crime prevention, diversion, rehabilitation, and community-based alternatives to confinement.
• Investigate and disseminate information about effective and innovative criminal justice related programs and services available at the state and county levels, including treatment alternatives, diversion initiatives, and specialty courts (i.e., treatment or recovery courts).
• Promote the evaluation of new and current criminal justice policies with the consideration given to the impact of current laws on public safety, policies, and program effectiveness on crime reduction, recidivism, prison and jail populations, and overall criminal justice costs.
• Identify areas in which improved collaboration and coordination of activities and programs would increase the effectiveness and/or efficiencies of services by eliminating duplication, filling service gaps, and improving the quality of services provided within the local criminal justice system.
• Explore, identify, and actively pursue funding options and criteria for the development and implementation of specialty courts.
• Upon request, submit a report to the County Board of Supervisors on the CJCC’s work.
• Create subcommittees as deemed necessary to engage other stakeholders and members of the public to participate in subcommittee activities.