Specialized Caseloads
The Parole & Probation Division has nine specialized caseloads/units including: Domestic Violence Supervision UnitDrug CourtDrug Endangered Children UnitSpecial Services UnitLimited Supervision UnitMental Health CourtSB 1145 UnitSex Offender Supervision UnitTransition Services Unit
Specialized caseloads 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 approximately 440 offenders on Parole/PPS or Probation for domestic violence related crimes. This is a three-person team of adult parole/probation officers who 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 169 low-risk cases. 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 caseloads of approximately 150 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.
To contend with Marion County’s disproportionately high numbers of gang-affiliated offenders, the Parole and Probation Division of the Sheriff’s Office formed a Special Services Unit. The Special Services Unit supervises approximately 103 gang-affiliated adult offenders. Over the years, this effort has produced successful results in reducing gang violence in the county as evidenced by improved communication among law enforcement, parole and probation and other community agencies, providing more intensive supervision of gang offenders in the community.
Limited Supervision Unit:
The Limited Supervision Unit is the unit responsible for monitoring about 1,300 offenders classified as “low” or “limited” risk, per OCMS (Oregon Case Management System) risk classification, and unfunded misdemeanors. Offenders are monitored for new law violations and behavior that constitute a public safety threat. Appropriate action on violations may include a report by the County, 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 Caseload 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 approximately 467 sex offenders. This team is comprised of 4 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 181 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 two parole/probation officers that supervise offenders participating in a variety of our transitional programs which includes the Alternative to Incarceration Program, Quest for Change, 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 family and friends in a class held quarterly called Release Orientation.