Marion County Community Corrections Advisory Board Meeting - September 17, 2026

The Marion County Community Corrections Advisory Board met on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 12:09 p.m. in Room T-260 of the City-County Building in Indianapolis, with Chair Carlette Duffy (CFO, Office of Public Health and Safety) presiding. The board did not have a quorum, so the only action item on the agenda - approval of the August 20, 2026, meeting minutes - was tabled. Executive Director Scott Hohl (listed on the agenda; the transcript refers to him as both "Director Hall" and "Director Scott Hope") presented agency updates. The meeting adjourned after a second roll call; the next meeting is set for Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. in Room T-260.

Call to Order, Roll Call & Quorum

• The meeting was called to order at 12:09 p.m.; no quorum was initially present, so the minutes vote was tabled pending a possible quorum after the agency update.
• The board's newest member was introduced: a 26-year veteran of the Indiana Department of Correction who is executive director of MCDC (Moving in Community Development Corporation) and Hydra House, Inc., organizations providing transitional housing, reentry services, case management, and peer recovery. He noted that the judge who granted his community corrections later served alongside him on the board.
• Members present during the final roll call: Natrina Debo (Community Advocate, city-county council appointee), Bailey Renchief (Board Counsel), Ray Casanova (Chief Public Defender, Marion County), Anita Hall (Community Liaison), Shazany Common Millar (Community Representative), and Carlette Duffy (Chair).
• The board discussed that the quorum requirement had been reduced from 12 to 7 members. At the second roll call, fewer than 7 voting members were present, so the board still did not have a quorum and no votes were held.

Discussion Items - Agency Updates (Executive Director Scott Hohl)

Population and voter registration

• The community corrections population is approximately 3,200-3,300, consistent with recent months.
• Several dozen individuals - short of the 100-person target - registered to vote across five voter registration dates this fall. Common Cause will discuss a voter plan with clients, and transportation will be arranged on one of the last two Sundays before election day for early voting, likely to the City-County Building. Director Hohl noted this is especially important for clients working 12-hour shifts at the Duval facility, given Indiana's tight election-day voting window.
• Director Hohl voiced strong support for the voting initiative: "there's nothing like being able to express your voice through your vote to say that this is my community, and then when you see something as being yours, then you want to protect it."

Budget and user fees

• The agency presented its budget to the council committee and submitted a formal request for an additional $1.5 million to eliminate user fees in Marion County. A budget review and analysis is scheduled for September 30, 2026, with the final vote expected in early to mid-October. Director Hohl stated that without the additional funding, user fees could not be eliminated, although drug-testing fee options might be explored.
• The DLC grant was reduced by $250,000 (a 40 percent cut). Director Hohl stated the cut will not affect staffing levels, salaries, or client services, but will likely reduce staff training; he noted that outcomes have improved alongside training investments and "I do not believe in coincidences."
• Director Hohl mentioned the possibility of a "true up" of additional state dollars authorized earlier this summer, noting that if such funds arrive for Marion County, two to three currently unfunded problem-solving courts would likely be a priority.

Dubhouse treatment contract

• The agency is finalizing a contract with Dubhouse, a treatment provider whose expanded new facility will serve women. The contract will launch with 4-6 beds and scale to 10-12; six individuals were at the Crane facility when the prior contract ended. Final steps include completing staff training, confirming a start date, and notifying public defender, prosecutor, and court partners. The contract is expected to be presented to the board for a vote in October.

Translation services

• On Monday, September 14, 2026, the state informed the agency it would no longer contract with the current vendor for over-the-phone translation services (in-person services continue unchanged). The agency identified a new vendor whose rates are actually cheaper; a one- to two-week service gap may occur before the new contract is in place.
• Director Hohl stated that while the state contract offers a better fiscal rate, the agency must weigh whether the cost savings are worth the operational uncertainty, and whether to maintain its own internal contract going forward. The new contract will be brought to the board for a vote next month.

Key Outcomes

• No votes were taken. The board lacked a quorum, and approval of the August 20, 2026, meeting minutes was tabled.
• The Dubhouse contract and the new over-the-phone translation services contract are expected to be presented for board approval at the next meeting.
• Next meeting: Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. in Room T-260, City-County Building.