Specialized Caseloads
The Parole & Probation Division has specialized caseloads/units that are used as a primary strategy to manage high risk and special needs offenders through the intensification of supervision services and interventions. Due to the unique criminogenic issues associated with these special need populations (i.e., Gang, Sex Offender, Domestic Violence, Mental Health), deputies assigned to these caseloads are required to go through additional training and utilize specialized assessments that target the risk and needs of these referenced populations in an attempt to reduce future criminal activity.
Domestic Violence Supervision Unit
The Domestic Violence Supervision Unit supervises offenders on Parole/PPS or Probation for domestic violence related crimes. This team of adult parole/probation officers represent the major geographical districts in Marion County. The team was formed to consolidate focus and coordinate supervision and intervention efforts in an attempt to reduce the alarming incident rate of domestic homicide and domestic violence. Assessment of risk is a key component in the review process to ensure supervision resources are focused on offenders who pose the greatest risk to their victims and the community. The unit has incorporated a limited supervision unit comprised of low-risk offenders. Offenders in the low-risk category are still held accountable for any violations, but may report via mail and with less intensity than medium and high risk offenders. The Domestic Violence Supervision Unit works closely with local law enforcement, batterer intervention programs, victim services and other service agencies to enhance public safety and hold the offenders accountable.
Drug Court
Drug Court provides intensive supervision in the community with weekly court appearances, weekly visits with the parole and probation officer, and three substance abuse treatment sessions per week. This program maintains a close partnership between all the agencies represented in the program in order to manage these offenders in the community. It provides accountability through swift and appropriate sanctions for drug use and violating program rules. Each offender has an individual treatment plan, which addresses their needs and responsivity issues as well as public safety, including substance abuse treatment, medication, mental health treatment, 12 step support groups, anger management treatment, or other specialized treatment that may be recommended.
Drug Endangered Children Unit
Two full-time parole/probation officers supervise offenders who are pre-identified by the District Attorney’s office staff, which refers the cases for this specific supervision. Supervision staff work collaboratively with the Department of Human Services to supervise the case, collaborate regarding treatment and other services, with the goal of either reuniting the family, or determining that reunification is not an appropriate outcome. Collaboration with local law enforcement also occurs, when appropriate
Special Services Unit
The Special Services Unit (SSU) is designed to target evidence-based supervision strategies toward our highest risk offenders. This unit is comprised of two parole/probation deputies who supervise approximately 90 gang offenders as well as a subset of the criminal population that have displayed tendencies toward violence, egocentricity, impulsivity, and manipulation, and have significant deficits in expressing sympathy or remorse. This unit maximizes our division’s resources by employing validated risk assessments and utilizing cognitive-behavioral interventions and social learning techniques aimed at containing violence, reducing future criminal behavior, and increasing public safety.
Over the years, SSU has produced successful results in reducing violence in the county and has improved communication amongst law enforcement, the district attorney’s office, parole and probation and other community agencies resulting in more intensive supervision of these offenders. As a means of accomplishing their objectives, SSU regularly collaborates with area law enforcement agencies, has increased field contacts, works non-traditional hours, imposes curfews and incorporates electronic monitoring. This unit is also responsible for compliance with statutory mandates for the supervision of Sexually Violent Dangerous Offenders, community notification, residency restrictions and other legislative requirements.
Limited Supervision Unit
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The Limited Supervision Unit is the unit responsible for monitoring about 1,300 offenders classified as “low” or “limited” risk, per the Public Safety Checklist (PSC) or the Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (LS/CMI). Offenders are monitored for new law violations and behavior that constitute a public safety threat. Appropriate action on violations may include a report to the Court or Parole Board, incarceration, intermediate sanctions, or increased level of supervision. Offenders are moved from the unit only for behavior that threatens public safety as defined by set guidelines. This unit also developed a restitution collection component that monitors restitution payments to the court and works in collaboration with victim services to improve collection of restitution obligations to the Court.
Mental Health Court
This program provides intensive supervision through weekly court appearances, weekly visits with the parole and probation officer, and dual diagnosis (DDA) meetings. Offenders meet on a weekly or biweekly basis with their mental health provider. Some are also involved with substance abuse counselors as well. Each offender has an individual treatment plan which addresses his or her personal needs as well as community safety. Each treatment plan outlines mental health treatment needs, medication, substance abuse treatment, anger management treatment, self-help groups, and other specialized treatment as recommended.
SB 1145
The 1145 unit works with felony offenders sentenced to one year or less, housed either at the Marion County Corrections Facility (jail) or released to a reduced custody status. Staff assigned to this unit monitor and develop release plans for every local control offender sentenced to the custody of the Marion County Supervisory Authority with a period of post-prison supervision. They also coordinate transfers to other counties (if required), participate in case staffing to establish appropriate supervision conditions, make recommendations and supervise offenders in non-custody alternatives, track release dates and monitor 1145 offenders lodged in other facilities. This unit is also responsible for accurate data entry into both the state and county computer systems.
Sex Offender Supervision Unit
This specialized unit supervises sex offenders on Parole/PPS or Probation for sex related crimes. This team is comprised of parole/probation officers and three contract sex offender treatment providers. This team works in collaboration with each other, law enforcement, child welfare and the community in an effort to contain and reduce sexual offender behavior. This unit is also responsible for compliance with mandates of community notification. The unit has incorporated a limited supervision unit comprised of 182 low-risk cases.
Transitional Services Unit
The main objective of our Transitional Services Unit (TSU) is to prepare and facilitate individuals for a successful re-entry back into our community from incarceration. TSU is made up of three parole/probation officers that supervise offenders participating in a variety of our transitional programs which includes the Alternative to Incarceration Program, Jail Re-Entry Program, and Student Opportunity for Achieving Results program. TSU provides offenders releasing to Marion County information pertaining to the various facets of re-entry via the “Reach-In” process. In addition to educating our releasing offenders on re-entry, TSU also provides information to their families and friends in a class held quarterly called Release Orientation.
Veterans Treatment Court
The Marion County Veterans Treatment Court provides comprehensive rehabilitation focused supervision of veterans, who have become involved in the criminal justice system. Supervision includes frequent court appearances, office and home visits with the probation officer, as well as various types of evidence based treatment programs (mainly obtained through the VA). These programs treat issues such as drug and alcohol addiction, mental health, PTSD and traumatic brain injuries. Duration and type of program depends on the needs of the veteran. Each Veteran receives an individual treatment/ supervision plan that is tailored to their individual needs, while at the same time addressing community safety. Accountability for the veterans is addressed through applying immediate, but appropriate sanctions for violating program rules. The treatment team consists of a Marion County Circuit Court Judge, representatives from the VA, the Salem Vets Center, Marion County District Attorney’s Office, Marion County Sheriff’s Office- Parole and Probation and Patrol, as well as a veteran mentor and community partners.