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Technology Committee
The following is the formal petition submitted to the
IPCSA Executive Board for the formation of a new committee — the Technology
Committee. Upon review and consideration of the Board, it was agreed to present
the petition in the form of a referendum to the full membership. A majority
vote by the membership will pass the referendum. The formal petition is as
follows:
My name is John Becker and I am the Director of
Kendall County Court Services. Myself, along with Kendall County G.P.S. Officer
Jennifer Sullivan, would like to formally petition the Board for the creation of
a new committee of the Association.
Since my arrival to Kendall County in 1996, the
court services department has been actively involved in creating and operating
offender management programs involving advanced technology. These programs have
included Voice I.D. Curfew, Electronic Monitoring using RF technology, Home
Alcohol Testing, and Global Positioning System. These programs have allowed our
judiciary to keep juvenile and adult offenders from formal incarceration,
provide more restrictive monitoring for violent offenders, choices when
considering conditions of bond, and sentencing alternatives. The County Board
has also experienced substantial savings in juvenile detention dollars and adult
jail fees.
Technology advancements in the field of Court
Services has also included case management systems, offender reporting
equipment, drug testing, internet activities of sex offenders, internet sites
for gathering in-depth personal histories, and others. In the State of
Illinois, there are many counties that utilize one or more of the above stated
technologies. However, there is no mechanism in place for the sharing of
information. It is my belief that creating a Technology Committee would help
counties share information about programs and equipment that is being used and
what is working and what is not. The committee could also serve all counties in
the State by being a resource when new programs are being considered or
identified concerns are being brainstormed.
As programs involving new technology continue to
become available, the Association should have a committee assigned to this
special field. Jennifer Sullivan and I are willing to co-chair this committee
and establish additional committee members. Jennifer will be attending the
upcoming conference in Chicago and will be available should you or any of the
board members have any questions. I will be in the office during the conference
and can be contacted there. Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Sincerely,
John L. Becker
Director
Kendall County Court Services
Jennifer Sullivan
G.P.S. Officer
Kendall County Court Services |
