Title
Lee Creighton Justice Center Programming Overview
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Briefing only; no action requested.
Report
Issue:
Whether to receive a briefing on the types of programming provided at the Justice Center and a discussion of the future vision of the Justice Center to meet the growing space needs at the facility.
Staff Contact:
Maryam Olson, Program and Planning Supervisor, (360) 709-2783.
Presenter(s):
Scott Ahlf, Municipal Court Judge
Tye Graham, Assistant City Prosecutor
Diane Whaley, Public Defense Coordinator
Chandra Brady, Olympia Police Department Support Administrator
Background and Analysis:
Over the past several years, the traditional justice system in Olympia has evolved to include a focus on restorative justice to include the creation of programming to assist in addressing the challenging issues of homelessness, mental health needs and addiction currently facing the Olympia community. Programs such as Community Court, Crisis Response Unit (CRU), Familiar Faces and others have transformed the use of the Justice Center. These programs bring together multiple partners, services and tools to work with court clients to change behavior patterns that lead to criminal activity.
At the Justice Center, individuals are connected to providers and services to address mental health and chemical dependency, housing, reestablish drivers’ licenses, education and job services and more. Community Court gives individuals the opportunity to move forward, change their lives and become healthy, productive members of the community. This work requires the coordination of the Olympia Police Department, Prosecution, the Public Defender, Probation Department and Jail for the span of an individual’s case.
Originally built in 1965 as Olympia’s City Hall, the Lee Creighton Justice Center has proved to be inadequate to address the changing needs of the community. The current design of the Justice Center is not secure for a courthouse with lack of appropriate passages for court staff, witnesses and jurors. There are not enough spaces to conduct programming and overall the facility lacks Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance due to its restricted spaces and entrances.
The presentation will discuss existing space and uses at the Lee Creighton Justice Center; benefits of a new, expanded, modern facility to the community; potential partnership opportunities if the City co-locates services with the County; why it is important that we have a jail facility; how CRU and Familiar Faces programs are impacting our future needs and the focus on models of restorative justice.
Attachments:
None