The Community Corrections Advisory Board heard at a meeting Monday that rates of clients’ reoffending have improved in the district, and those rates are likely to improve as a new program is fully implemented here.
Director Robert Sullivan said that under a grant he had written for Senate Bill 14 funds, a program had been created to reduce the risk that clients on probation would re-offend.
The goal described in the successful grant application stated that the local unit would reduce revocations by 25 percent. Using the baseline set in Fiscal Year 2006, the goal number would be 12.
“We were able to reduce by 16, which is a 33 percent reduction,” Sullivan said.
He said, however, that while he was “extremely thrilled” about the current reduction figures, he hesitated to say that the relatively new program had brought about that degree of change. He believes much of that could be attributed to the mindset of the community corrections officers.
They now are spending more time with clients to help them find employment, which is a major component for success among probationers. The officers are trying to match employment applications with skills, removing transportation barriers, and working with clients on job interview needs, such as grooming, appropriate dress, and other issues.
An Offender Risk Reduction Counsel receives periodic reports about clients and makes recommendations on improvements or changes that could be made to work more effectively with the offenders.
Sullivan said he believes that the more time is needed to amass reliable figures for success.
“At that point in time, we’ll have enough information to see if our risk reduction has made an impact,” Sullivan said. “… I do think it’s made a difference. I don’t know if it’s made a measureable diffeence.”
Sullivan announced that John Wright, a professor at the University of Cincinnati, has completed a week-long visit and interview session here to help develop a strategic plan for local community corrections. Wright visited with a variety of employees, prevention and intervention specialists, and related community members, including law enforcement officers and school principals. A survey also is being done among those with whom he was not able to speak.
The board should receive a draft of the plan in September, with a presentation by Wright expected during the board’s October meeting. The latter meeting will be held in the county’s jury assembly room, to allow those interested in the plan to attend.
Sullivan said that technology issues had delayed the opening of the new Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center at 402 Commercial St., but installations of software, cameras, audio and other improvements are almost complete.