REQUEST FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

Sheriff Lucky Larson submitted a request for a Justice System Assessment (JSA) to the National Institute of Corrections Jail Center. Ms. Fran Zandi, Correctional Program Specialist, responded to the request arranging for the JSA to be delivered April 24-26, 2007. Ms Diane Moore and Mr. Kevin Warwick were selected to conduct the JSA.

Meetings with the County Officials were to be held April 24-26, 2007 to assess the jail, its operations, conduct a review of local criminal justice system practices and gather additional information on the current situation in Lake County, Montana.

The community meeting was to be held on April 26, 2007. Captain Todd prepared in advance for the on-site technical assistance visit and worked to insure that all the key stakeholders were prepared for the meeting. He agreed to provide meeting space for Tuesday and Wednesday and a large group space for the community meeting on Thursday.

The purpose of the technical assistance provided to Lake County was the following:

1. To assist Lake County in evaluating the practicality of adopting various intermediate sanctions options for the users of the criminal justice system;
2. To assist Lake County with the evaluation of jail programs and its impact on the facility;
    
3. To assist Lake County in reviewing various options for jail planning;
4. To assist Lake County in exploring a range of sanctions as a part of the decision making process related to a potential reduction in jail crowding;
5. To assist Lake County as it considers adding, deleting or changing some components of the criminal justice system;
6. To assist Lake County in evaluating the use of various pre-trial release options and other release mechanisms for low risk offenders;
7. To assist Lake County in reviewing and developing jail programs; and
8. To assist in providing the next steps for community reentry programs in Lake County.