county commission

Karen Newman 

Seventh Judicial District Judge Michelle Winkis Lawson and Treatment Court Coordinator Don Kautzman appeared before the Clay County Commission at their February 15 meeting to provide an annual update. Judge Lawson said, “This is one of the things I look forward to each year; not only because I get to see all of you in person, but because we get to come here and talk to you about something that is super important to us and a wonderful asset to our community.”

The Clay County Specialty Court web page (https://claycountymn.gov/1370/Specialty-Courts) cites the mission of the Drug Court:

The mission of the Clay / Becker Drug Court is to strengthen our community through court team supervision of chemically dependent offenders by providing accountability, evidence-based treatment, and motivation for positive change, resulting in successful family and community contribution.

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic forcing virtual meetings, the past year found 26 individuals successfully completing Clay/Becker Drug Court and one individual successfully completing Veterans’ Treatment Court. An additional four individuals are currently being screened for program admission. Kautzman praised Judge Lawson’s efforts to facilitate virtual meetings that are as successful as those held in-person. Kautzman’s data for current Clay/Becker Drug Court participants includes:

·       15-Clay County

·       11-Becker County

·       18 men

·       8 women

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The success rate for Drug Court graduates since the program began in late 2007 is 80% with 71 Clay County graduates and 31 Becker County graduates. Other demographic data for Drug Court graduates includes:

·       109 employed upon graduation.

·       1 enrolled in college full-time.

·       53 participants gained driver’s license (The rest were already licensed.)

·       100% of those required to do so were current on child support payments when graduating.

·       100% were clean and sober upon graduation.

·       100% completed a minimum of 50 hours of community service projects.

·       23 re-offended after graduation (20%).

·       69 men and 41 women have graduated from Clay/Becker Drug Court since 2007.

·        

The Veterans’ Drug Court began in early 2017:

·       1 person graduated from Veteran’s Drug Court since 2017.

·       8 individuals were terminated for non-compliance since early 2017.

·        

Kautzman reported that Clay/Becker Treatment Court funding appears to be relatively stable. Current funding provides $220,500 from the State of Minnesota, Seventh Judicial District Court, Clay and Becker County Commissions, Clay County Forfeiture funds, Department of Corrections funding, and Drug Court fees.

Commissioner Jenna Kahly declared, “Judge Lawson, I have had the privilege of attending a handful of these of these Drug Court graduations and it really is a privilege and an honor to attend them. I want to commend you again for taking the time to individually connect with all the participants.” She continued, “This is a tough program. You show a lot of love while still maintaining the guidelines and the rules.”

Commission Chair Jenny Mongeau echoed Kahly’s commendation, “Certainly this board has seen over and over the value of the investment in this program…you take people that in many ways are broken and help them through a system that is confusing. It takes hard love for them to make it all the way through it and it really is inspiring.”

Judge Lawson responded, “It’s a lot of hard love.” She commended the probation officer, the compliance officer, the chemical dependency staff, and all those who step in to provide program participants with hard love and support. She went on to praise Kautzman saying, “This guy is the glue that holds us together.” She concluded her address to the board, “Your funding does more than financially support us. It sends a message not only to our community but to our participants that we care. We care all the way up and that includes the county commissioners, that includes law enforcement…the stories go on and on in terms of success and worth.”

Commissioner Kevin Campbell lauded the program’s success, “Eighty percent [program’s graduation rate] is really good. Eighty percent of those people are back to being productive. It’s huge for their families…as far as I’m concerned, I will continue to support you.”