Delaware Area Community,
In January 1996, Delaware County Common Pleas Court Judge E. H. Krueger received a Community Corrections Act (CCA) Grant from the Ohio Department of Corrections, Bureau of Community Sanctions, in response to Senate Bill 2. The grant was to develop and implement an Intensive Supervision Probation (ISP) program to divert offenders from prison.
The Intensive Supervision Office was to divert 30 offenders per year from incarceration. This was the genesis of Delaware County Adult Probation. Prior to this the Ohio Adult Parole Authority provided all probation services to the Delaware County Common Pleas Court.
In 1999 the Delaware County Commissioners approved expenditures from the general fund to hire additional officers to enable the expansion of services. Since then the Intensive Supervision Office was awarded a Byrne Memorial Grant to implement a Day Reporting Center. The Day Reporting Center program is designed to offer an alternative to incarceration. It provides classes that address a variety of issues such as: criminal thinking, anger management, family nonsupport, job readiness, budgeting, health and hygiene and victim impact panels.
The Intensive Supervision Office embraces the concept of focusing on crimogenic needs by utilizing cognitive behavioral based treatment. Empirical research has found that cognitive behavioral treatment coupled with appropriate supervision can reduce recidivism.
The Intensive Supervision Office has thrived for a variety of reasons. Offenders are treated as individuals. Thereby their specific risks and needs are addressed in the appropriate fashion. At the same time, offenders’ compliance or lack of compliance is addressed in a timely appropriate fashion. Offenders who are doing well receive positive reinforcement while those who are struggling with compliance receive negative consequences.
The Intensive Supervision Office takes great pride and has worked diligently to interact closely with local law enforcement and social service agencies. The ISP staff has assisted in countless arrests and is a positive influence in the community.
Sincerely,
Doug Missman
Project Director
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