4/11/1985 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Robert Phelan, supervisor of the local Probation Parole Department, wished to state for the record that the local Parole Department has never failed to get a pre -sentence investigation to the court on the assigned sentencing date. He stated that the normal turn around time is 28 days.and 21 days on a jail case, and he believed the case previously alluded to was where someone had been continued at his own request. Mr. Phelan again emphasized that the pre -sentence investigations have been 1000 completed by the times requested.. Chairman Lyons just wished to ask if that much time is necessary, and Mr. Phelan stated that it is not for jail presentence investigation; that only requires 21 days. They have talked to the Judge about this and there may be a change in policy. Commissioner Scurlock noted that obviously this is a sensitive subject, but he believed we will need better cooperation from everyone - the State's Attorney, the Public Defender, the Clerk, etc., - because we must tighten up the system. Mr. Wright again brought up the possibility of diversionary programs. He stressed that he is not here to place blame, but just to reduce the population in the county jail. Commissioner Bird requested that the "fast-track" committee be explained - its function - whether it helps, etc. Captain Baird informed the Board that the Fast Track Committee was just a committee made up of a representative of the County Court, the Circuit Court, the Public Defender, the State's Attorney, and the jail staff, and they met once a week and went through the jail roster to see if there was a way to expedite the process and determine if it was appropriate to release someone. Captain Baird stated that this worked for a few months, and then he believed the committee was disbanded in mid September. In the ensuing questions as to why it was disbanded, it was. felt that this committee might have been formed at Judge 5 APR 11 X905 Book J