Background & Legislative Authority

Pursuant to House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1068, enacted by the Indiana General Assembly, the Local Justice Reinvestment Advisory Council (JRAC) statute was signed into law on April 8, 2021 by Governor Holcomb (effective July 1, 2021). This legislation requires the establishment of a Local JRAC in every Indiana county.

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The purpose of the Local JRAC is to support data-driven decision-making and improve criminal justice outcomes by examining local practices, system trends, and community needs.

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To learn more about the history, purpose, and long-term vision of this legislation, visit Indiana’s Local JRAC website. The site provides an overview of how the legislation was developed, the goals it seeks to achieve, and the guiding principles shaping local implementation across Indiana.

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Purpose of the
Local JRAC

The overarching goal of the Local JRAC is to analyze local data and practices to improve public safety, reduce recidivism, and promote efficient use of resources across the criminal justice system.

Under state law, Local JRACs are responsible for:

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• Promoting evidence-based and best practices in community-based sentencing alternatives and recidivism reduction

• Reviewing, evaluating, and making recommendations regarding local practices, including community corrections and jail overcrowding

• Compiling and submitting reports as directed by the State JRAC

• Communicating with the State JRAC to support consistent data collection, reporting, and implementation of best practices

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Cass County’s Commitment

In response to this legislation, Cass County has established its Local Justice Reinvestment Advisory Council and is committed to working collaboratively to strengthen the local criminal justice system. The Council brings together stakeholders from across the justice system, including:

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• Judiciary, jail staff, prosecutors, public defenders, and probation officers

• Pretrial services staff

• Individuals with lived experience

• Victims of crime and their family members

• County commissioners and council members

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Together, the Local JRAC reviews local data, evaluates current practices, and identifies opportunities for improvement to support fair, effective, and people-centered criminal justice outcomes.

People-Centered Public Safety​

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Cass County Local JRAC prioritizes public safety while honoring the humanity and rights of individuals. Evidence shows that communities are safer when people are supported through recovery and given access to opportunities to succeed and that public safety is strengthened—not compromised—when individuals are supported through recovery and their involvement in the justice system.

In practice, this includes:

• Supporting programs that reduce recidivism, substance use, and system involvement

• Prioritizing interventions that balance accountability with opportunity

• Using local values and data to guide decision-making

Balancing Opportunity with Accountability

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Opportunity without accountability is ineffective. Accountability without opportunity is unjust. Cass County’s approach intentionally balances both. The Local JRAC ensures that interventions and funding decisions help individuals succeed while maintaining public safety. Treatment-focused investments are not about avoiding responsibility—they are about creating the conditions where responsibility can be achieved and sustained.

This balance is achieved by:

• Setting clear expectations for programs and grant recipients

• Linking supportive services to measurable outcomes

• Tracking data to evaluate effectiveness and safety impacts

Collaboration & Co-Creation

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Cass County is committed to collaboration and co-creation across systems. The Local JRAC actively works to overcome compartmentalization in the criminal justice system. Instead of working in isolation, agencies collaborate to identify and reduce duplication, streamline processes, and improve outcomes. This integrated approach considers the consequences of actions on the efficiency of the entire process, the impact on other entities, and potential effects on community safety.

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Through collaboration, the Council:

• Ensures decisions are informed by diverse perspectives

• Involves all system stakeholders in planning and funding recommendations

• Optimizes resources while aligning with local values and needs

Our Commitment

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Our role extends beyond monitoring outcomes or writing policy.  We are committed to supporting empathetic, holistic, and evidence-based programs that recognize the intrinsic worth of every individual and their capacity to change.

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We believe:

• Every interaction in the justice system is an opportunity to promote positive behavior change

• Recovery, rehabilitation, accountability, and public safety are mutually reinforcing

• Thoughtful investment today creates safer, healthier communities tomorrow

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Through intentional collaboration and a steadfast commitment to community safety and our values, Cass County continues to build a system that is fair, effective, transparent, and centered on people.