Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Meeting | August 7, 2026

Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Meeting Recap – August 7, 2026

On August 7, 2026, the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council convened to discuss critical issues facing our community, including jail overcrowding, enhancing safety initiatives, and streamlining internal operations. The meeting featured welcomes for new council members and updates on ongoing programs designed to improve outcomes within our criminal justice system. This recap provides a clear overview of the discussions, decisions, and next steps for residents to understand how these efforts impact our community.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to welcoming two new members: Kim Clemens, Vice Chair of the Buncombe County Board of Education, and Ella Santos, President & CEO of the Asheville Housing Authority. Their inclusion brings valuable perspectives focused on education and housing needs, vital components in addressing the root causes of crime and supporting a thriving community.

The council received an update on the Community Safety & Violence Prevention Plan, a collaborative effort involving county, city, parks and recreation departments, and local non-profit organizations. The plan utilizes a "care model" addressing social determinants of health, and has already seen success with 57 individuals trained as community health workers. Following recent shootings, the coalition provided crucial support to affected families. A key takeaway was Regina D.’s emphasis on focusing on “impact” rather than simply counting activities, highlighting the need for robust collaboration between the city and county to maximize effectiveness. While council members acknowledged the plan's progress, a discussion ensued regarding ensuring clear leadership and accountability for tangible results. This will be revisited in a future meeting to determine responsibilities and ensure alignment, with council members following up via email to further discuss implementation strategies.

Jail overcrowding remains a pressing concern, as detailed in Lee Creighton’s report. The jail is currently operating beyond both its operational and design capacities, with a significant increase in misdemeanor bookings (23% year-over-year) and longer lengths of stay due to factors like IRENA's Law and a backlog with the Department of Corrections. Despite these challenges, the NC FIT program (Formally Incarcerated Transition) continues to demonstrate success in reducing emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and recidivism rates for formerly incarcerated individuals. Council members expressed interest in expanding this program to address jail populations and improve pre-release coordination, recognizing its potential as a model for effective community support.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, one council member strongly advocated for moving beyond planning and towards tangible action with measurable outcomes. This sentiment resonated throughout the discussion, emphasizing a desire for accountability and clear progress within our criminal justice system.

Looking Ahead: Several key action items emerged from the meeting, demonstrating a commitment to addressing these challenges. The council will:

• Revisit the Community Safety & Violence Prevention Plan to define roles and responsibilities.
• Strengthen collaboration between the city and county for greater impact.
• Explore expanding the NC FIT program to address jail populations.
• Continue developing a capacity document to track individuals awaiting forensic evaluations in the jail system.
• Address corrections and clarifications to the bylaws on a future agenda for formal consideration.
• Refine the Housing Team’s proactive violence prevention model, potentially sharing it with other agencies.
• The Asheville Police Department will continue utilizing data analysis to inform resource allocation decisions and support the Wellness Board's initiatives.

The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council’s ongoing efforts are crucial for building a safer and more equitable community. Residents can expect further updates on these initiatives as the council continues to work towards its goals, with a focus on measurable results and collaborative partnerships.