2009 Nebraska Code
Chapter 47 JAILS AND CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES
47-624 Council; duties.

47-624. Council; duties.

The council shall:

(1) Develop standards for eligible community correctional facilities and programs in which offenders can participate, taking into consideration the following factors:

(a) Qualifications of staff;

(b) Suitability of programs;

(c) Offender needs;

(d) Probation population;

(e) Parole population; and

(f) Other applicable criminal justice data;

(2) Develop and implement a plan to establish statewide operation and use of a continuum of community correctional facilities and programs;

(3) Develop, in consultation with the probation administrator and the Parole Administrator, standards for the use of community correctional facilities and programs by the Nebraska Probation System and the parole system;

(4) Collaborate with the Office of Probation Administration, the Office of Parole Administration, and the Department of Correctional Services on the development of additional reporting centers as set forth in section 47-624.01;

(5) Analyze and mandate the consistent use of offender risk assessment tools;

(6) Educate the courts, the Board of Parole, criminal justice system stakeholders, and the general public about the availability and use of community correctional facilities and programs;

(7) Enter into contracts, if necessary, for carrying out the purposes of the Community Corrections Act;

(8) In order to ensure adequate funding for substance abuse treatment programs for probationers, consult with the probation administrator as provided in section 29-2262.07 and develop or assist with the development of programs as provided in subdivision (14) of section 29-2252;

(9) In order to ensure adequate funding for substance abuse treatment programs for parolees, consult with the Office of Parole Administration as provided in section 83-1,107.02 and develop or assist with the development of programs as provided in subdivision (8) of section 83-1,102;

(10) If necessary to perform the duties of the council, hire, contract for, or otherwise obtain the services of consultants, researchers, aides, and other necessary support staff;

(11) Study substance abuse and mental health treatment services in and related to the criminal justice system, recommend improvements, and evaluate the implementation of improvements;

(12) Research and evaluate existing community corrections facilities and programs, within the limits of available funding;

(13) Develop standardized definitions of outcome measures for community corrections facilities and programs, including, but not limited to, recidivism, employment, and substance abuse;

(14) Report annually to the Legislature and the Governor on the development and performance of community corrections facilities and programs. The report shall include the following:

(a) A description of community corrections facilities and programs, endorsed by the council, currently serving offenders in Nebraska, which includes the following information:

(i) The target population and geographic area served by each facility or program, eligibility requirements, and the total number of offenders utilizing the facility or program over the past year;

(ii) Services provided to offenders at the facility or in the program;

(iii) The costs of operating the facility or program and the cost per offender; and

(iv) The funding sources for the facility or program;

(b) The progress made in expanding community corrections facilities and programs statewide and an analysis of the need for additional community corrections services;

(c) An analysis of the impact community corrections facilities and programs have on the number of offenders incarcerated within the Department of Correctional Services; and

(d) The recidivism rates and outcome data for probationers, parolees, and problem-solving-court clients participating in community corrections programs;

(15) Grant funds to entities including local governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, and behavioral health services which will support the intent of the act; and

(16) Perform such other duties as may be necessary to carry out the policy of the state established in the act.

Source

Laws 2003, LB 46, § 36;
Laws 2005, LB 538, § 15;
Laws 2006, LB 1113, § 47;
Laws 2010, LB864, § 2.