Members of the Hamilton County Concurrent Grand Jury said in a final report that they need better technology.
The report says that was illustrated recently when the district attorney wanted them to watch a 35-minute Power Point presentation.
It says, "Due to lack of technology they had to crowd around a laptop, some sitting on the floor, and try to get the information they needed to make their decision. This is an embarrassment to those who do the work to present such cases and to those who work in Grand Jury."
The report from the panel headed by DeAnna Anderson also suggests that the final day of Grand Jury service be spent observing in General Sessions Court.
The panel praised the work of the Drug Court, saying it is helping some individuals improve their lives.
Here is the full report:
The Honorable Rebecca Stern
Judge, Criminal Court, Division II
Hamilton County, Tennessee
Judge Stern:
The jurors on this panel came into their service not knowing what to expect.
They felt the experience was both interesting and educational. They found it a joy to serve with each other as they fulfilled their duty to the courts.
They finish their term with a better understanding of our Criminal Justice System and the hard work that is put forth by those who work within it. Going through this process helped them realize why our dockets are full and justice is not always “swift”.
As with every panel before them, their perception of law enforcement has changed. Most of them took for granted what they do, and now have an appreciation for the sacrifice they make to protect and serve. Many believe they should be held in the same regards as our Military.
Hearing from two of our Criminal Court Judges, as well as a Sessions Court Judge, helped them put a “face with a vote”. The jurors found them to be compassionate, highly intelligent individuals with a great sense of pride in what they do.
This Grand Jury is made up of employees of Citizen Tri County Bank, BCBS, Benchmark Rehab Partners, Hamilton County School System, as well as, an accountant for Hamilton County Government, a Chaplain with the Sheriff's Department, an electrical engineer, a 3D structural designer and many retirees. As always, many of our retirees has expressed the desire to serve again.
This Concurrent Grand Jury heard 594 cases during the January-April 2015 term.
They came together, using the legal advice and visual tools they were given, took serious their charge, and made the necessary decisions on cases they were given.
It was part of their duty to tour Silverdale CCA, Juvenile Detention and Courts, The Hamilton County Jail and listen to a presentation on Community Corrections. They have been charged with reporting on Silverdale CCA and Community Corrections.
SILVERDALE CCA
This jury found their tour, led by Superintendent Jason Clark and CCA's Chief Brian Doser, to be more informative than they expected. Their tour covered everything from the educational opportunities to the medical care provided to inmates. They felt the staff they encountered seemed to know what was expected of them and did their jobs with great pride.
They felt the facility was neat, clean and well designed to monitor and control the the inmate population, which on the date of our tour (3/9) was at 813. Even though they were given the number of inmates housed at the facility, the sheer volume did not register until they actually toured and saw for themselves.
They learned that CCA's Mission Statement is as follows: to be the best full-service correction system. While they may not agree with every policy of the facility, this jury realizes the challenges they face; such as overcrowding, and inmates that cycle in and out of the system. They are thankful for the dedicated people who are willing to man this facility.
As with every Grand Jury before them, they are tax-paying citizens concerned with how their money is spent. Having said that, they realize that tax dollars have to be spent in order to to run this facility. They appreciate measures that save tax dollars such as using inmates on county road crews and charging fees to inmates for medical visits and prescriptions.
Many of the jurors commented on the beautiful murals on the walls throughout the facility and were amazed to find out these were done by inmates. It left them with a feeling of sadness to see such wasted talent.
COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS
The jurors wish to thank Superintendent Chris Jackson for coming to us, and feel he did a thorough job explaining the program.
They feel these alternative programs can serve as a way to rehabilitate non-violent offenders and puts the responsibility on the offender to decide if they want to change the direction of their life.
They learned that this type of punishment keeps defendants out of our already crowded penal facilities which in turn is a savings to taxpayers.
As always, we commend the employees that oversee these programs and feel they do a good job. For closer monitoring we feel that more probation officers are needed.
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS
This Grand Jury was asked to tour the three Criminal Court Courtrooms and their jury deliberating rooms, and give their impressions. They felt these rooms should have a professional appearance and reflect the integrity of the process and upon touring, they felt them to be anything but this. Throughout, the furniture was mismatched, old, torn, and in some cases, duct taped back together. The restrooms in the deliberating rooms looked like something that should be in an old bus station. In addition,we were told some of the chairs were “throw aways” from the Federal Courthouse. They feel that juror's perform an important duty for our justice system, and are not immune from environmental influences. A jury's decision will affect the life of the individual on trial and the atmosphere of the courtroom and deliberating rooms should reflect the seriousness of the task.
As stated in the past, this jury feels that law enforcement and correctional officers should be required to not only upon hiring, but throughout their service, meet and maintain a healthy level of physical fitness. Whether it be on the streets or in the facilities, we as a community ask so much of these individuals. We feel for the safety of our officers and those they protect it is vital to hold them to such standards. We trust that there are people in power that could take this issue seriously, do a comprehensive study, and come up with REAL solutions to this problem.
Hearing so many cases that involve the growing Hispanic community they feel it should be mandatory that law enforcement take a basic Spanish course.
The Grand Jury room should be equipped with the technology needed to view power points and videos that may be involved in some of the cases brought to Grand Jury. This jury was presented with a case by the TBI and had to watch a video that was essential to the case. They were told that it was the request of the D.A. that they watch all 35 minutes of it. Due to lack of technology they had to crowd around a laptop, some sitting on the floor, and try to get the information they needed to make their decision. This is an embarrassment to those who do the work to present such cases and to those who work in Grand Jury.
This jury feels that on the last day of a Grand Jury's service they should sit in on the proceedings of Sessions Court. They feel this would help to complete the education that they receive during their term.
A FINAL THOUGHT
The juror's on this panel were impressed with Judge Stern's Drug Court. They were given the opportunity to sit in on the proceedings of Drug Court and were impressed with Judge Stern's encouragement to it's clients. They see this as a way to help an individual who otherwise may not possess the ability to clean up their lives and start fresh. Speaking for themselves as well as all past jury's, we would like to thank her for her service and send her best wishes in her upcoming retirement.