Justice Resource Advisory Council Meeting | May 1, 2026

Justice Resource Advisory Council Meeting Recap: May 1, 2026

The Justice Resource Advisory Council (JRAC) convened on May 1, 2026, to review the county’s strategic direction for its justice system. The primary focus of the meeting was the refinement and adoption of a two-year strategic plan, developed in collaboration with Strategy & Innovations. The council also reviewed a jail population report and addressed specific service gaps within the behavioral health, domestic violence, and juvenile justice sectors.

The council approved the two-year strategic plan after extensive discussion and adjustments to its goals and measures. Key modifications included shifting the Behavioral Health workgroup’s focus from reviewing utilization data to identifying barriers that prevent law enforcement from using the Behavioral Health Urgent Care. For the Courts workgroup, measures were simplified to track the number of alternatives identified and guidelines recommended, rather than tracking implementation percentages. In the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault area, the plan was expanded to include a new goal specifically for connecting offenders to interventions, alongside existing goals for connecting victims to services. Additionally, the Juvenile Justice goal was revised to focus on reducing the length of detention stays rather than costs, while the Community Engagement goal was adjusted to measure the percentage of workgroups that include representation from the justice-involved community.

During the public comment period, Alani Bryn, a survivor of domestic violence and assault, shared her personal experiences navigating the justice system. She highlighted systemic failures, including paperwork errors and inadequate legal aid, that left her feeling unsupported and unsafe. Her testimony emphasized the urgent need for meaningful change in how the system supports survivors. The transcript summary does not record any specific response from council members to her comments.

Regarding follow-up actions, Commissioner Moore agreed to connect with the Coordinated Community Response (CCR) to identify a chair for the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault workgroup. The council also agreed to continue exploring options for addressing service gaps, particularly regarding sexual offender treatment and juvenile justice, and to establish new work groups for law enforcement and community engagement.

This meeting marks a significant step in Buncombe County’s effort to modernize its justice system through data-driven decision-making and cross-agency collaboration. By formalizing the strategic plan, the council has established clear metrics for tracking progress in areas such as behavioral health diversion, court efficiency, and victim services. The adoption of these goals provides a structured framework for addressing complex challenges, including the complexities introduced by recent legislative changes in juvenile justice and the need for coordinated alternative responses to non-violent calls for service.