The League supports:

• An integrated approach to solving jail-related problems through cooperation among the county's judicial, executive and law enforcement branches.
• Financing for the jail and all recommended services from government funds and private grants.
• The use of alternative sentencing for nonviolent offenders, including the expansion of both the mental health and drug courts.

Transparency:

• Records documenting the use of funds seized through civil forfeiture and the auditing of such funds should be available to the public.
• Collection of local demographic data in order to identify trends in arrests, arraignments, convictions and incarceration and the provision of such data to national databases.

Comprehensive Health Care:

• Provision of a medical evaluation upon intake.
• Clear and available documentation of medical and behavioral health assessments and treatments maintained in readily accessible files for further use by the system and community-based healthcare/treatment facilities.
• Licensed health care professionals shall determine and meet the healthcare needs of those jailed.
• Behavioral health assessment and treatment by appropriately trained personnel from arrest through release from the justice system. This would include development and implementation of wrap-around services post-discharge from the jail or from mental health or drug specialty dockets.
• Provision of evidence-based treatment for both physical and behavioral health needs.
• Continuation of prescribed medication in jail, including Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) to treat addiction.
• Communication between the jail's health care providers and primary care providers in the community to facilitate care coordination.
• Development and implementation of an ombudsman program for families and those jailed.
• Evaluation of contracted health services by community stakeholders.

A Well-Trained Police Force Reflective of the Community Served:

• Continuing and mandating Crisis Intervention Team training.
• Enhancing community interaction of police officers with an emphasis on their role as peace keepers.
• Critical incident debriefing and the provision of treatment if indicated.
• Periodic psychological screening of law enforcement officers.
• The composition of the police forces in Portage County should reflect the diversity of the community served.

Fair, Equitable and Minimal Imposition of Bail:

• Minimization of the use of bail and the use of evidence-based tools when setting bail is deemed necessary.

Affordable Court Costs:

• Payment of court costs and fines through alternatives such as community service, enrollment in education or training programs, and participation in treatment/counseling.
• Sufficient time to pay fines and court costs assessed on a sliding scale based on personal resources.
• The use of funds seized through civil forfeiture and auditing of such funds should be publicly available.