Local JRAC
Governor Holcomb signed House Enrolled Act 1068 into law on April 8, 2021 (effective July 1, 2021). Also known as Public Law 30-2021, this legislation established 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
- communicate with the State JRAC to establish and implement best practices and to ensure consistent collection and reporting of data
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.
Local JRAC Leadership Update Form
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.
2022 Annual Report
IC 33-38-9.5-4 requires that Local JRACs “Communicate with the advisory council in order to establish and implement best practices and to ensure consistent collection and reporting of data as requested by the advisory council” and “Prepare and submit an annual report to the advisory council not later than March 31 of each year.” The 2022 Local JRAC Annual Report is due no later than March 31, 2023.
Reference survey questions in advance with the Local JRAC Annual Report Preview.
Resources
Local JRAC Technical Assistance
Local JRACs can request technical assistance through the Local JRAC Technical Assistance Request form.
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.
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