Adult Services

Community Corrections provides pre-trial monitoring of conditions imposed on offenders by the Court between court appearances. Conditions may include electronic monitoring, use of alcohol monitoring equipment, random drug and breath testing, as well as telephone and/or personal contacts. If offenders violate the pre-trial conditions, they are taken into custody and returned to jail, pending Court review.

Pre-trial services include pre-dispositional investigations, bail evaluations, and pre-sentence investigations on offenders when ordered by the Court. Pre-Sentence Conditional Release is included in this unit. Offender risk assessment, chemical dependency, domestic violence, and gambling assessments are also provided. Legislatively changed penalties for DWI offenders has increased workloads in all aspects of the Pre-Trial area.

Washington County Corrections promotes an approach to adult supervision that balances accountability/public safety, restoration of harm done, competency development, and targets the most resources to the highest-risk offenders.

The Level of Service Inventory-Revised (LSI-R) is a quantitative survey of attributes of offenders and their situations, which helps determine level of supervision decisions and programming needs. The instrument contains 54 items sub-grouped in the following ten areas: Accommodation, Alcohol & Drug Problems, Attitudes & Orientation, Companions, Criminal History, Education & Employment, Family & Marital, Financial, Leisure & Recreation, and Emotional & Personal. The assessment is completed as a result of a semi-structured interview with record checks and collateral contacts. Research indicates that the LSI-R predicts offender risk to re-offend and identifies criminogenic needs (specific areas to target in order to reduce risk). A case classification system is used to assign offenders to the appropriate level of supervision and programming. Cut-off scores are used to determine supervision level.

Offenders who are assessed to be at high- or medium-risk to re-offend in the community are assigned to the Traditional Supervision Unit. These caseloads consist primarily of felony, gross misdemeanor, and violent misdemeanor offenders.

The department maintains two specialized units. Two probation officers are assigned to the Sex Offender Supervision Unit and supervise clients who are required by law to register as predatory sex offenders. Probation officers of the Intensive Community Supervision Unit provide supervision of very high-risk offenders placed on probation by the Court.

Probation staff provides structured community-based supervision. They also monitor compliance with Court-ordered conditions, investigate violations, submit reports to the Court with recommendations, and conduct pre-sentence investigations when offenders under supervision commit new offenses. Appropriate cases are referred to Victim Offender Conferencing or to the Circles Sentencing program. Probation staff are trained to provide approaches and resources that enable individuals to realize goals and objectives that repair the harm, reduce the risk, and involve the victim and the community in the process whenever possible. This method adheres to a policy of holding offenders responsible for actions that led to their involvement in the criminal justice system.

The specialized Sex Offender Supervision Unit was initiated in January 2002. Two probation officers were assigned to the unit and carry caseloads of approximately 60 clients who are required by law to register as predatory sex offenders. This smaller caseload allows the specially-trained staff to spend more time assessing offenders' specific risky behaviors and triggers by using specialized sex offender assessment tools. Agents also spend more time in the community monitoring potential victim contact and getting to know those in the offender's community and family network. In this manner, they are able to respond proactively to issues as they arise. A "supervision team" meets monthly to "staff" common cases and includes representatives from probation, treatment, and victim advocacy/support. This team works together to assist with supervision and treatment decisions and determines when a client is ready to be transferred to a less-specialized level of supervision. The program has been developed to pay particular attention to victim needs, collaborative programming and supervision, and effective treatment and assessment modalities. When resources become available, polygraph testing will also be an integral part of this model.

This program provides supervision of very high-risk offenders placed on probation by the Court. Contact with offenders by their probation officers occurs in the community. Random and unannounced visits may be conducted any time day or night, seven days a week. Offenders must follow a pre-set schedule and notify their probation officer of any deviations. Offenders assigned to this unit often benefit from a structured schedule, incorporating effective tretament and services. The LSI-R assessment aids in determining the offender's specific risk and need areas and safety concerns for the community. A case plan is developed by the offender and the supervising agent, based on the results of the assessment and other information. The plan may require the offender to complete specialized programming, such as cognitive behavioral groups, Victim Offender Conferencing, or other community programs. Additionally, the probation officer may facilitate a less-restrictive plan for the offender, as appropriate per assessment and adjustment to supervision.

A version of the program is also available for targeted offenders convicted of a Felony DWI offense. Through the use of treatment, aftercare, and intensive supervision, that include frequent drug and alcohol screens, offender behavior is closely monitored in an attempt to lengthen sobriety and non-criminal behavior. Current resource limitations require Community Corrections to limit availablity of this program to only the highest risk felony DWI offenders. Both programs consist of three phases that begin after completion of Court-ordered jail time. After offenders satisfactorily complete all three phases, they return to complete the remainder of their probation period on traditional supervision.

Probation officers assigned to the Transfer Out Unit are responsible for supervising offenders from the time of sentencing until they are accepted for supervision in their county or state of residence. Once accepted, the receiving jurisdiction is responsible for the direct-case supervision, although the case remains open in Washington County. Transfer Out probation officers are responsible for relaying various progress, violation and discharge reports, and recommendations to the Court. They are also responsible for monitoring and carrying out changes in inter-state and intra-state policies.