The Delaware County Jail Oversight Board voted to adopt a comprehensive Inmate Welfare Fund policy that clarifies eligible uses, increases administrative transparency for about $4 million in the fund, and enables certain reentry supports such as clothing and limited inmate payroll. The board approved the policy by voice vote.

Department presented its MAP medication-assisted treatment program, jail-based behavioral health grant and a housing-navigation program designed to help people released from custody find temporary housing and reentry supports.

Deb McGinty said a ribbon cutting for the 1800 Orient Road step-down facility is planned for Jan. 22; the facility is licensed for 85 beds (proposed allocation 75 male, 10 female) at residential level 2 and is intended to provide wraparound behavioral health and reentry supports.

A committee heard testimony on SSB 5520, which would adjust evidentiary standards for claims under Washington’s Wrongly Convicted Persons Act, add an Alford-plea pathway, expand what counts as confinement for damages, provide an advance on awards and change attorney-fee rules; exonerees and advocates urged clearer definitions and supports for reentry.

PRESS RELEASE — First Lady of North Carolina Anna Stein and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services celebrated the opening of the Jubilee Home for women in Durham on Thursday. Servi...

After public comment, the Durham County Board unanimously approved three previously pulled consent items, including contracts for after-hours telehealth in the jail, psychiatric services for detainees, and a transitional living facility; public speakers urged stronger in‑jail services and questioned allocations.

Historic testimony urged repeal of statutory room‑and‑board and medical fees charged to incarcerated people and their families, arguing fees extract earnings, impede reentry and yield negligible revenue for the state; Campaign Zero and others urged passing bills H.2734/S.1756 and H.2659/S.1757.

Advocates testifying to the House of Corrections said CRCF has seen a sharp rise in detainees, straining programs and prompting calls for 3–5 additional caseworkers, expanded reentry supports, and policy changes to allow caseworker help for detainees. DIVAS staff reported large service increases and urged short‑term mitigation while a replacement facility is planned.

Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation briefed the Public Safety Committee on the 144‑bed Prerelease Center, reporting an 80% program completion rate, 66 residents as of mid‑November, planned IT upgrades and a revalidation of the risk assessment with a contract expected in about six weeks and operational data in 18 months.

At a City Council Criminal Justice Committee hearing, agency leaders outlined plans to restore nonprofit-run programs on Rikers, expand transitional housing, and clarify how the city will meet legal requirements such as five hours of daily out-of-cell programming and education mandates for young adults. No vote was taken on Intro. 246 during the session.