Workshop Goals:
· Provide an open forum to discuss Jail Standards and regulations.
· Develop process and procedures to review, discuss, and receive input to Jail Standards.
· Provide opportunity to review ALL Jail Standards in an organized, time-efficient manner.
· Previously reviewed Jail Standards will be “revisited” as they appear in chapters under review.
· Provide opportunity to add and/or delete Jail Standards in an organized, time-efficient manner.
· No action taken at workshops. Issues will be discussed and possible action taken in future Commission meetings.
· Create timeline to finalize process by November 2012.
· ALL Jail Standards changes will be published in the Texas Registry and be subject for additional Public Comment, prior to adoption by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (Commission).
Process to Review Jail Standards:
· Commission to develop a standardized form for comments on Jail Standards, to include, but not limited to:
1. identification of person/organization making comment;
2. identification of Jail Standard;
3. comment, addition, deletion; and
4. fiscal notes.
· Commission to post form, goals and process on TCJS website, http://www.tcjs.state.tx.us/; distribute to Texas Association of Counties, Conference of Urban Counties, sheriff’s and jailer’s listservs, and publications including County Progress.
· All forms to be e-mailed, faxed or mailed to the Commission, Attention: Diana Spiller- diana.spiller@Commission.state.tx.us
· Incomplete forms will be returned for completion.
· One form can be submitted with attachments of support from additional individuals, organizations, counties, etc.
Timeline:
· January 13, 2012, 5 p.m.: Deadline to receive public, Commission, and staff input on Chapters 251 – 265, Chapter 275, and 289.4, OMIT Chapter 261 (which addresses “grandfathered” facilities). Comments received by the deadline will be posted as an attachment to the February 2012 Workshop Agenda for review. Agendas are generally posted 10-14 days prior to meetings. Commission will ADD review of history, legislation, legal actions prior to posting.
· Feb. 1, 2012 Workshop: Review comments, hear public testimony, Commission discussion on Chapters 251 – 265, Chapter 275, and 289.4, OMIT Chapter 261. Commission will also review Inspector’s TOP 5 ISSUES encountered in their respective regions. (Issues will be discussed for change during the appropriate Jail Standards Review Timeline.)
· Feb. 2, 2012 Commission Quarterly Meeting: Discussion and possible action regarding Jail Standards updates, additions and/or deletions. Regarding any issue requiring further review, more information or input: Chair will appoint a committee of stakeholders to meet as needed to discuss, with the goal to bring a consensus recommendation on the issue back to the Commission. Examples of stakeholders include, but are not limited to: staff, attorney, Commission members (no quorum), sheriffs, county commissioners, county judges, advocacy group representatives, etc.
· April 13, 2012, 5 p.m.: Deadline to receive public, Commission, or staff input on Chapters 266 – 301, OMIT Chapter 275, and 289.4 (previously discussed). Comments received by the deadline will be posted as an attachment to the May 2012 Workshop Agenda for review.
· May 2, 2012 Workshop: Review comments and hear public testimony and Commission discussion on Chapters 266-301. Continue discussions on unresolved issues from Feb. 2012 meeting, and review recommendations of requirements to “propose new Jail Standards.”
· May 3, 2012 Commission Quarterly Meeting: Discussion and possible action regarding Jail Standards updates, additions and/or deletions and adopt requirements to “propose new Jail Standards.” Regarding any issue requiring further review, more information or input: Chair will appoint a committee of stakeholders to meet as needed to discuss, with the goal to bring a consensus recommendation on the issue back to the Commission.
· July 13, 2012, 5 p.m.: deadline to receive public, Commission and staff input on recommendations on new Jail Standards. Comments received by the deadline will be posted as an attachment to the August 2012 Workshop Agenda for review.
· August 1, 2012 Workshop: Review comments, hear public testimony, Commission discussion on new Jail Standards, plus further discussions on unresolved issues from previous Commission meetings.
· August 2, 2012 Commission Quarterly Meeting: Discussion and possible action re: Jail Standards updates, additions and/or deletions. Regarding any issue requiring further review, more information or input: Chair will appoint a committee of stakeholders to meet as needed to discuss, with the goal to bring a consensus recommendation on the issue back to the Commission.
· October 12, 2012, 5 p.m.: Deadline to receive comments on Jail Standards updates, additions, or deletions. Comments received by the deadline will be posted as an attachment to the November 2012 Workshop Agenda for review.
· October 31, 2012 Workshop: Review comments, and hear public testimony and Commission discussion on unresolved issues from previous Commission meetings.
· November 1, 2012 Commission Quarterly Meeting: Discussion and possible action regarding Jail Standards updates, additions and/or deletions. Regarding any issue requiring further review, more information or input: Chair will appoint a committee of stakeholders to meet as needed to discuss, with the goal to bring a consensus recommendation on the issue back to the Commission.
The Nov. 3 workshop was broadcasted and is available for viewing in the archives at
http://www.house.state.tx.us/video-audio/capitol-events/.