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$19 million over the biennium . The Senate did not. Instead, the
Senate appears to be including Court technology needs in a statewide
consolidated technology plan. At this writing, it is unclear what that
might mean for the courts and even if such a plan might be litigated
since the Courts are a separate branch of government. This is a matter
of top priority to the Courts, so stay tuned for more information.
House and Senate differ.
Superior Court Judges Cut/ Business Courts Added - The Senate
cut 3 Superior Court judges and added funds for Business court judges
and staff. This appears to be a preference for Special Superior Court
judges who are assigned to Business court. The House funded the
Business Courts without cutting existing Superior Court Judges.
Senate funds at lower level.
Family Courts - We're glad to see Family Courts continued in the
Senate budget. These Courts need to be expanded statewide; they
have proven to be an effective way to expedite family issues in less
time through a process that helps families. Senate and House.
Special Asst US Attorneys - Minority Leader Sen. Dan Blue
wondered in committee if the $713,514 allocated for this item would
place 6 state-funded DAs in federal offices. The answer appears to be
yes and the purpose is to transfer state cases into the federal system
where the feds will pick up incarceration costs. We'd prefer to see
these prosecutions take place within North Carolina.
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Use of Force Training - Funds for Use of Force training are spread
across the all state and local law enforcement agencies. This is a
much-needed step. House and Senate.
Samarcand Training Facility - Start-up funds are allocated for this
facility designed for Corrections personnel. Minor Differences.
PAY INCREASES
There is no 2% pay raise for all state employees as was provided in the
House. There is a provision for targeted raises to continue staff in hard
to hire positions. Senate Only.
There are STEP increases across Asst. and Deputy Clerks, Magistrates,
and the Highway Patrol. House and Senate
Correctional officers received increases amounting to $25 million by
2017 that are associated with position reclassifications based on
custody levels. House and Senate
CORRECTIONS
Community-Based Services - TECS (Treatment for Effective
Community Services) and substance abuse services are funded at the
current levels in both the House and Senate. This fund is being
renamed to Recidivism Reduction Services (RRS) and should have
sufficient funding to continue the 5 pilot Re-entry council sites. House
and Senate.
The Broaden Access to Community Fund includes $1.359 in
much-needed substance abuse funds that will be carried into 2016.
This is a non-recurring allocation initially proposed by the Governor.
Senate is at a higher level.
Education Funds Reduced- The Senate decreases the Inmate
Education budget by 5.6%. even though education has a positive
impact on reducing recidivism. House and Senate.
Prison Mental Health Funds Reduced - The Senate provides the
funds to open 72 mental health beds by 2017. It does not provide the
House level of funding to provide behavioral health treatment units at
8 close custody prisons. House and Senate.
Instead, it provides one behavioral treatment unit at Maury
Correctional plus positions at the Diagnostic Centers to improve the
assessment of inmates' mental health status. House is at a higher
level.
Electronic Medical Records - Corrections is moving in the direction
of electronic medical records which will hopefully provide both
prisons and communities necessary information to improve treatment.
Fewer funds are allocated for an outside vendor in the Senate. Senate
is at a lower level.
Increased Electronic Monitoring - The Senate provides a 17%
increase in electronic monitoring in 2015-17 with a total of $4.9
available for this purpose. The increase appears to be related to
additional electronic monitoring for post-release supervision.
Supervision alone - without treatment or services - has not been shown
to reduce recidivism. Senate is at a lower level.
JUVENILES
$2 million is allocated for Level II beds in contracted and state-run
facilities. This increases the total available for juvenile community
programs by 11%. Senate Only.
INDIGENT DEFENSE
Capital Defender's Office Cut - One of the few budget cuts is aimed
at the Capital Defender's office. Seven positions are targeted for an
18.9% reduction. This is a costly move in the wrong direction as IDS
has been able to show that dollars are saved by using salaried staff in
this position. Senate Only.
Private Appointed Counsel Increase - Indigent Defense has been
struggling with a shortage in private appointed counsel funds and this
7.1% increase is welcome. Senate Only.
No funds for Automated Kiosks - The Senate chose to study the
option of automated kiosks for meetings with public defenders. The
House funded a pilot site at $1.6 million. Senate lower than House.
JAILS
Misdemeanor Confinement Fund - The Misdemeanor Confinement
Fund for sentenced misdemeanants confined in local jails has been
completely transferred to the General Fund in an amount of $22.5
million. The fees that supported the Misdemeanor Confinement Fund
will now go the the General Fund. Senate and House.
JUSTICE
Crime Lab Technicians - Six new technicians are added to the crime
lab making it possible to increase the lab turn around time. House and
Senate. Senate and House.
Forensic Analysis Outsourcing - The Senate allows $750,000 for
outsourcing toxicology and DNA analysis - both of which have been
backlogged. Senate Only
MENTAL HEALTH/ SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITES
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Centers - These treatment
centers are being incorporated into the LME/MCO structures. As a
result they will not receive direct general fund appropriations. There
funds will be allocated through the LME/ MCOs. Senate and House.
Foster Care Expanded to 21 - Funds are included to expand Foster
care to age 21. This is a positive move for 18 - 21 year olds who are at
risk for becoming involved in the justice system. House has higher
funding levels.
Contact Us
Reach us by Mail:
Carolina Justice Policy Center
PO Box 309
Durham, NC 27702
Or by Telephone:
(919) 682-1149