Marion County Community Corrections Advisory Board and Local Justice Reinvestment Advisory Council Meeting - March 19, 2026

This meeting of the Marion County Community Corrections Advisory Board and Local Justice Reinvestment Advisory Council (JRAC) focused on approving multiple grant applications and performance measures for the Indiana Department of Correction (DOC), as well as updates on agency initiatives including the Empowerment app for domestic violence survivors and the impact of House Bill 1033 restructuring JRAC.

Consent Calendar

• The board unanimously approved the February 2026 meeting minutes.

Discussion Items

• Marion County Sheriff's Office DOC Grant Request: Grant coordinator Emily Groff presented a request to fund an enrollment specialist to help eligible inmates enroll in benefits and connect with community providers after release. The specialist would work with inmates aged 18 and older, incarcerated for 30+ days, with mental health/substance use disorders. The board approved the motion, with Colonel Martin abstaining.
• Marion County Alternative Courts (Veterans and Mental Health Court): Judge presented 2026 performance measures and 2027 DOC grant applications. The mental health court is in a maintenance phase with a waitlist, requesting same funding as 2026 with a shift to cover potential probation officer salary and fringe increases. The veterans court requested an additional $24,406 to fund fringe benefits for a second probation officer. The board approved the performance measures and grant applications in a single motion.
• Marion County Alternative Courts (Diversion and Re-entry Courts): Joy Treatment Court (drug treatment court) and re-entry court presented performance measures. Drug treatment court aims to enroll 50 new clients, graduate 27, and terminate no more than 20. Re-entry court aims to enroll 50, graduate 30, terminate no more than 25. Grant applications request same funding as last year (salary, fringe, drug screens). The board approved the performance measures and grant applications.
• Marion County Community Corrections 2027 Budget Presentation: CFO Justin Garcia and Executive Director Scott Holt presented a $7,200,315.13 total request for community supervision ($4,333,196.11) and work release ($2,867,119.02). The request is about $1 million more than the $6 million received last year, reflecting cost-of-living and health insurance increases. Discussion included potential DOC cuts (another $7 million statewide) and aging facility issues at Duvall (multiple repairs in the last 10 days). Holt noted the agency could absorb a cut of up to half a million through reduced food and drug testing costs, but larger cuts would impact training. The board approved the request.
• Collaboration Plan for 2027: The plan describes how agencies will work together with DOC grant funds. Changes include removal of Marion County Prosecutor's Office and Marion Superior Court Probation Department (did not submit applications). The board approved the collaboration plan.
• Community Corrections Updates (Scott Holt):
  • Holt is pursuing a Bureau of Justice Assistance grant to study behavior-based contact standards using alerts from monitoring devices.
  • The Empowerment app (mobile exclusion zone for domestic violence survivors) is moving forward after previous delays. Track Group will initially handle survivor enrollment. The app is voluntary, creates a protection zone around the survivor's phone, and alerts Community Corrections if the defendant enters the zone. Holt noted strong support from the Domestic Violence Network and Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
  • Holt reported that he was invited to speak on a national panel at the American Probation and Parole Association conference, reflecting recognition of the agency's work.
  • The annual JRAC report will be circulated for feedback and submitted to the state supreme court.
• House Bill 1033: Amy noted the bill restructures JRAC, making the chief judge the chair. The board is still navigating implementation, and Chief Judge Rothenberg has been added to communications.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: February 2026 minutes (unanimous).
• Approved: Sheriff's Office DOC grant request (one abstention).
• Approved: Alternative Courts (veterans and mental health) performance measures and grant applications (unanimous).
• Approved: Alternative Courts (drug treatment and re-entry) performance measures and grant applications (unanimous).
• Approved: Community Corrections 2027 DOC grant application (unanimous).
• Approved: 2027 Collaboration Plan (unanimous).
• Next Steps: Holt will contact the Prosecutor's Office and Criminal Term about the Empowerment app; JRAC survey will be distributed; further discussions on House Bill 1033 restructuring.