As we reported last month, Fulton County's Smart Justice Advisory Council spent a year studying ways to reduce recidivism at the county jail and cut costs in the criminal justice system.

Among its recommendations: private funding for social services to reduce crime and an online database of counseling and other service that prosecutors, judges and others can use to get criminals help that could prevent them from reoffending.

On Wednesday the Board of Commissioners will consider a key next step: creating a permanent committee to develop more detailed policies to improve the criminal justice system and to promote cooperation among various agencies to achieve those ends.

According to a resolution to be considered Wednesday, the Smart Justice Coordinating Committee would consist of 21 members. Each of the seven county commissioners would have three appointments: one appointed for three years, one for two years and one for a single year. Subsequent appointments would all have three-year terms.

You can read the full resolution here.

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