Potter County Today

Potter County Criminal Justice Advisory Board (CJAB) members unanimously adopted their 2021 strategic plan last week. It’s a detailed document that identifies the issues, challenges, priorities and steps that will be taken as the many elements of the county’s criminal justice system work together to improve outcomes. CJAB officers are: Judge Stephen Minor, chair; District Judge Kari McCleaft, vice chair; and Colleen Wilber, Potter County Human Services, facilitator. Overall goals in the CJAB action plan for the new year include:

• Continued work on a Pretrial Diversion Program for Potter County and development of more comprehensive re-entry services for inmates being released from the county jail.
• Partnering with the National Data-Driven Justice Initiative to measure effectiveness and outcomes of criminal justice strategies, better inform decision-makers, and improve information sharing.
• Education and investigation into Medication-Assisted Treatment,],
• Transitional/half-way housing for offenders along with an increased focus on skills training and employment needs.
• Partnering with the National Stepping Up Initiative to improve the handling of cases involving criminal offenders with identified mental health issues.