George BaBa Eng was appointed by Prisoners are People Too, and he explained what that responsibility means to him as this board moves forward.
"Checks and balances are essential to our democracy - that's what I see this advisory board being - a check and balance to what goes on with people who are charged with crimes or people who are being held in detention" he said. "All human beings deserve humane treatment...not coddling, not soft, but humane treatment, and that is our mission."
The law calls on the board to meet frequently, but it doesn't necessarily give a requirement. Baskin is hoping that the body will at least meet once a month. Every meeting must be open to the public, and there must be time allotted for public comment.
"This board is going to be a conduit to, I believe, more improvement than we saw this year in the Office of the Sheriff," said Baskin.
The legislature's chairwoman already has sights set on the board's first priority.
"Making sure that, upon arrival to the Holding Center, there can be some form of mental health and drug testing immediately," said Baskin. "The members here and the majority caucus have talked about that at great length under the leadership of majority leader (John) Brusso, and that's something that we're going to be pushing the board to tackle the minute that they convene."