Probation

The word probation is derived from the phrase “to prove”. It gives a convicted offender the opportunity to prove that they do not require incarceration, and offers the offender the resources that will assist them in changing their criminal thought process through evidence based practices. The goal of the Probation Department is to reduce recidivism, and reduce crime in our community.

Successful Rehabilitation

Probation facilitates the effort of the court to better identify high-risk offenders and increase their likelihood of successful rehabilitation. The goal of increasing the chance of rehabilitation and reducing recidivism will be accomplished by early, continuous, and intense treatment for substance abuse, prevent criminal thinking, improving education, and obtaining employment.

Hallway with chairs

Cognitive Behavioral Program

Probation facilitates the cognitive behavioral program “Thinking for a Change” (T4C) to change criminal thinking patterns, improve decision-making ability, and instill less impulsivity. In addition, probation applies positive reinforcement techniques using incentives to encourage success with a set of graduated sanctions geared toward modifying anti-social behavior toward pro-social behavior.

Building Resources 

Recognizing the importance of program fidelity, the court manages a close measurement system of improvements to build new resources for addressing the criminogenic needs of offenders. Identifying the offenders with the greatest need and using detailed case management plans, probation develops an individual course of treatment addressing all of the criminogenic needs indicated by the Ohio Risk Assessment System (ORAS).

Risk Assessment Tool 

The implementation of a new ORAS risk assessment tool provides the court with important predictive information regarding the likelihood that a defendant will fail to appear and/or be re-arrested, and assist judges in sentencing offenders appropriately. Building greater resources of social support to address all criminogenic needs, probation recognizes improved chances of reducing recidivism. The court pledges to ensure that employees receive the training needed to deliver evidence-based services. This approach reflects our continued development as an evidence-based organization.