Governor Holcomb signed House Enrolled Act 1068 into law on April 8, 2021 (effective July 1, 2021), establishing a local Justice Reinvestment Advisory Council (Local JRAC) in each county [IC 33-38-9.5-4]. Local JRACs are required to promote the use of evidence-based and best practices in the areas of community-based sentencing alternatives and recidivism reduction; review, evaluate, and make recommendations about local practices (community-based corrections and jail overcrowding); compile reports as directed by the State JRAC; and communicate with the State JRAC to establish and implement best practices and to ensure consistent collection and reporting of data.
- Indiana Local JRAC Technical Assistance Opportunity
The Indiana Office of Court Services (IOCS), in collaboration with the State JRAC, has contracted with the Center for Effective Public Policy (CEPP) to offer ad hoc technical assistance support. Counties may apply for and receive ad hoc (on demand) technical assistance to address specific training topics, process issues, or policy matters. A CEPP technical assistance provider will work closely with the Local JRAC for a short time to help resolve or make progress regarding a specific issue. Local JRACs interested in applying for assistance should reference the JRAC Developmental Activities Worksheet to guide their request. Ad hoc technical assistance will most likely benefit counties with an established Local JRAC that would like outside assistance to facilitate an education session or decision-making on a specific topic or issue. Ad hoc technical assistance is available upon request as project resources allow. IOCS will accept applications on a rolling basis. Applications must be summitted through the online request form.
- Membership
A Local JRAC consists of the following members or designees:
- chief public defender or public defender
- elected prosecuting attorney
- director of local community mental health center
- county sheriff
- director of county community corrections program
- chief probation officer
- president of county executive
- president of county fiscal body
- county circuit or superior judge exercising criminal jurisdiction
The Local JRAC of two or more counties may vote to consolidate into a regional advisory council.
- Training
Watch Local JRAC webinar #1-- Justice Reinvestment: Understanding HEA 1068 (11/1/2021)
Watch Local JRAC webinar #2-- Local JRAC: Establishment and Annual Report (12/15/2021)
2022 Indiana Cross Branch Mental Health Summit-- County justice system stakeholders contact Indiana Courts Education Network for access to the session videos or conference materials from the Cross-Branch Collaborative Mental Health Summit held on October 21, 2022.
NAMI Sequential Intercept Model (SIM) Mapping Technical Assistance
- Resources
Evidence Based Decision Making Resources
The Evidence-Based Decision Making (EBDM) in Local Criminal Justice Systems Starter Kit provides guidance to jurisdictions interested in implementing the EBDM Framework. The Starter Kit is intended to help collaborative criminal justice policy teams build their capacity to engage in EBDM.
Indiana EBDM Story: Sustaining the EBDM model
Local JRAC Action Plan Template
The Action Plan Template is designed to assist Local JRACs to document action items and strategize around the specific actions to map progress toward objectives and goals.
Community Supervision Resources
The Community Supervision Resource Center serves as a clearinghouse for new research, resources, training, peer learning, and technical assistance opportunities for the pretrial, probation, and parole supervision fields. CSRC is funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance and managed by the Center for Effective Public Policy.
Behavioral Health Resources
NCSC Behavioral Health Resource Hub
National Judicial Task Force Report on State Courts' Response to Mental Illness
Leading Change Guide for State Court Leaders
Indiana Behavioral Health Commission Report-- September 2022
Open Door Law and Access to Public Records Act
The Indiana Public Access Counselor issued a written informal advisory opinion in response to a request made by the Indiana Office of Court Services. IOCS requested the informal opinion regarding Local JRACs and their relationship to the Indiana Open Door Law and the Access to Public Records Act.