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Forensic Monitoring
Reports Now Public
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The Justice Center's Forensic Unit Quarterly Reports are now being made available to the public on the agency's website. The reports give an inside look into how Justice Center staff work to ensure certain mental health programs operated inside state prisons are compliant with the law.
The Justice Center is required to monitor the quality of mental health care and oversee compliance with certain laws as they pertain to patients/inmates incarcerated in New York State prisons. The quarterly reports detail what happens during a Justice Center site visit, the facilities visited, the findings of those visits and changes made, if any. Justice Center staff tour the unit at each facility and speak cell-side with every inmate. Staff members speak privately with some inmates based on comments made during the cell-side interviews. Certain records are also designated for inspection to determine compliance with timeframes outlined in the SHU exclusion law.
The report from the first quarter of 2017 is now posted, with subsequent reports to be posted in the coming months.
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Justice Center Wins Key
Court Victory
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The Justice Center scored a key legal victory in November when a State Supreme Court judge in the Bronx denied a defendant's motion to dismiss his case. The defendant argued the statute creating the Justice Center unconstitutionally gives the special prosecutor their authority. The judge noted there was more than enough consultation between the Justice Center and the local District Attorney, and then ruled the DA does not have to be at every hearing for a case to be lawful. The Justice Center consults with local the local District Attorney in every case.
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18 Justice Center staff members joined 18 law enforcement members at the International Association of Chiefs of Police "Leadership in Police Organizations" training. The three-week course is spread out over three months. Attendees learned how to understand and apply modern behavioral science and leadership theories that affect human motivation, satisfaction and performance in the achievement of organizational goals. The group learned the frameworks to organize knowledge and experience into effective leadership actions and how to integrate the course content into daily leadership practices. The class was made possible by a partnership with the Division of Criminal Justice Services.
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Justice Center employees not only serve those with special needs, their families and custodians, but they also serve their communities in a variety of ways. As an example, nearly a dozen staff members headed to the American Red Cross Bloodmobile in December, donating nine units of blood (seven whole blood and two "power red"). Their donation will benefit 27 patients in need.
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Justice Center Staff Spreads Holiday Cheer
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Justice Center staff members in Binghamton brought holiday joy to a local woman well-known around the office. Gladys (pictured above) has fallen on hard times and has been without a permanent home for several years. She is also a cancer survivor. She is frequently seen around the Binghamton State Office Building greeting people as they come and go. When Justice Center staff learned Gladys had no surviving family members, they took it upon themselves to give her a happy holiday. The office organized a collection and purchased gifts for Gladys, then presented them to her right before Christmas. Turns out, Gladys actually celebrates Hanukkah, but it didn't make any difference to her. Gladys was very moved by the gesture. Another example of Justice Center staff members supporting their community.
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