PRETRIAL SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE

JULY 24, 2005 MEETING MINUTES-ISU

Present: Nancy Cooper (Madison); Gary Nelsen (Macon); Anita Maxey (Macon); David Hitchcock (AOIC); Sharjeel Rizvi (Kankakee); Tanya Whitehead (Kane); Marty Offutt-Gruber (Kane); Keith Cooprider (Lake).

Meeting called to order.  The Committee opened with discussion about the possibility of putting together a pretrial workshop for the IPCSA Fall Conference (2005).  Keith suggested something along the lines of a forum, panel discussion, or debate addressing the current status and development of pretrial services programs and operations in Illinois as well as the needs, concerns, and issues of pretrial practitioners in the State.  Given the general nature of this suggestion, several specific and relevant questions were raised (Purpose?  Philosophy?  Informational?  Educating? Focus?  Audience?  Program and Operational Comparisons? Large vs. Small Programs?  The “Judicial” Factor?  Etc.).  Given some other important goals and efforts that the Committee plans on doing in the near future, it was decided by Committee members that we will not pursue developing a workshop for this year’s Fall Conference.  Keith will advise the IPCSA Program Committee of our decision.

The Pretrial Services Advisory Committee’s Mission Statement and Goals was read and approved by committee members.  Keith will look into getting the Mission Statement and Goals permanently posted on the IPCSA website.

Speaking of mission statements, Anita suggested to the Committee that we come up with an all-inclusive, statewide Illinois Pretrial Services Mission Statement, addressing the question, What is the standard “mission ” for all pretrial services programs operating, or planning to operate, in Illinois?  Marty and Tanya volunteered to produce a draft; they would appreciate any input and ideas that anyone might have regarding content, “buzz words and phrases,” etc. (   PRIVATE HREF="mailto:Offutt-grubermarty@co.kane.il.us" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor Offutt-grubermarty@co.kane.il.us;    PRIVATE HREF="mailto:whiteheadtanya@co.kane.il.us" MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor whiteheadtanya@co.kane.il.us). 

Anita will update the IPCSA Pretrial Services Advisory Committee Member Directory (names, addresses, phones, email addresses). 

The Committee plans on constructing a pretrial-related survey that will have the multiple purpose of (1) obtaining some basic program information (functions performed, policies and procedures, size, staff, contact person, etc.) for a “Illinois Pretrial Services Program Directory” as well as to find out how pretrial services is being practiced in the various jurisdictions within the State; (2) identifying pretrial-specific training needs for pretrial practitioners and their commitment to attend such training events.  Keith will draft a short questionnaire; Anita will also participate in the construction of the data collection instrument.  Any specific questions that you would like to be included in the survey, please call or email them to Anita or Keith.  Once this is completed, volunteers from the Committee will be contacting the various pretrial programs around the state to collect the data.  Surveys will be done by phone since response rates to mailed surveys are notoriously low and ineffective.  (Note: at this time, the Committee will only be surveying departments that have pretrial programs currently in operation; there was some discussion last year—see 3/24/04 committee meeting minutes—regarding obtaining information from departments without a pretrial program to determine whether they have plans of or ever have considered implementing a pretrial operation.  This project could be done at a later date.) 

Tanya suggested the idea of putting together a monthly or quarterly Committee newsletter.  This could be a constructive and effective vehicle for opening up lines of communication, networking, and “spreading news” among pretrial practitioners.  Tanya will work on developing this idea into a reality.  Some things to consider: name or title for the newsletter, electronic and/or hardcopy format, costs for this endeavor (budgetary item?), etc. 

Nancy brought up the problem of obtaining criminal history information from circuit clerk’ s offices.  Dave pointed out that circuit clerks have an association with regular meetings and suggested that the Committee send a representative to one of their meetings to express our needs and concerns.  Nancy will look into this.  Dave also noted that Illinois statutes, specifically, the Local Records Act (Ch. 20?) and the Criminal Identification Act, address the accessibility and dissemination of criminal history information.  If these statutes don’t allow free access to clerk’s information for criminal justice agencies, Dave suggested that the Pretrial Committee approach the IPCSA Legislative Committee about proposing legislation requiring Cir cuit Clerks to freely make available criminal history data.  Marty pointed out that several Illinois counties, including Kane, subscribe to JANO, an internet service that provides, for a fee, electronic access to court records of any and all jurisdictions that have subscribed for this service. 

Next Meeting: Friday August 26, 2005 10:30AM ISU-Bone Student Center (cafeteria-2nd floor).