fINTENSIVE SUPERVISION
(Since January 1972)

PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: To provide a cost-effective sentencing option which satisfies punishment, public safety and treatment objectives. This also promotes a crime-free lifestyle by requiring Intensive Supervision Probation offenders to be employed, perform Community Service Work, attend the MRT classes at Day Reporting, make restitution and remain drug free. Determination for this program is made after completion of a State Standardized Risk Assessment Instrument. This is followed by the use of a Needs Assessment Definition.

OPTIMAL USE: For those offenders being released from Home Detention and are being placed on Formal Probation and for high risk, non-violent offenders who show a propensity to re-offend.

TARGETED OFFENDER POPULATION: Anyone on Formal Probation where program completion is based on measurable progress towards clearly specified goals and objectives. This usually involves program participation of six (6) months to two (2) years, meeting employment and/or community service requirements as well as satisfactorily meeting contact standards with treatment conditions.

This is also used when an offender has his/her Probation revoked and is then being placed back on another period of Formal Probation and for those being "Shock Released" or being released from prison on a "Split Sentence" where a period of re-adjustment is necessary to find employment, housing and participation with self-help groups.


INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
(Since January 1972)

PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: The Porter County Adult Probation Department's Internship program provides students with both an educational and a professional experience within the criminal justice field. The internship serves as a capstone of a student's formal education. It provides a hands-on application of knowledge and information learned throughout their years at college. Many hours have been served within the department by interns from the major colleges and universities within Indiana as well as the surrounding states.

The intern is supervised by the office internship coordinator who is responsible for monitoring this program and for serving as the liaison to the other individual officers and to the school assigning interns to the Probation Department. After a period of introduction, the student will also be assigned to work one-on-one with another probation officer who will serve as the intern's direct supervisor.

The duties of a probation officer can be divided into two major realms -- one of supervision and one of investigation. The intern will be oriented to all duties and roles of a probation officer, both supervision and investigation.

OPTIMAL USE: For those students in their senior year of college earning a bachelors degree in Criminal Justice, Psychology, Sociology or Social Work. Also for the Masters Degree level students who need to fulfill this requirement. For example, Ball State University (Muncie, Indiana) Criminal Justice students spend an entire semester with us earning 15 credit hours.


(P.C.A.D.O.S.)
PORTER COUNTY ALCOHOL AND DRUG OFFENDER SERVICES
EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2004, THIS PROGRAM WILL BE OPERATED BY PACT
(Since January 1975)

PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: PCADOS is certified by the Indiana Judicial Center / Bureau of Addiction Services as a Court administered program offering assessment, education, treatment referral and monitoring of substance abuse offenders. All clients are Court ordered into the program as a part of sentencing on alcohol and other drug offenses or other criminal offenses in which the offender was impaired by alcohol and/or other drugs. Clients undergo a Substance Abuse Assessment during their initial appointment and are then placed on the level of education felt to most appropriately meet their needs.


  1. Level I Education is provided as remedial education on alcohol and other drugs and initiates discussion of chemical dependency.
  2. Level II Education focuses on drug dependency, family dysfunction, genetic predisposition, enabling defense mechanisms, emotional dysfunction, and recovery / relapse.
  3. Clients in Level III Education are those who will benefit most from either inpatient or outpatient treatment for their substance abuse and Aftercare of Alcoholics Anonymous and/or Narcotics Anonymous.


OPTIMAL USE: The PCADOS professional staff are certified alcohol and drug counselors, certified by the Indiana Counselors Association and the Indiana Judicial Center on Alcohol and Drug Abuse. Clients receive the most benefit from the program when the staff completes a Substance Abuse Assessment and determines from those findings the appropriate level of education. The Court's support in dealing with clients in non-compliance with the program is necessary confronting the substance abuse issues and assisting in breaking through the client's denial of a problem.

TARGETED OFFENDER POPULATION: All defendants convicted of alcohol/drug related offenses as ordered by the Court to participate in the program. Offenders between the age of 18 and 20 years who are convicted on their first offense of Minor Consuming, Transporting, or Possessing Alcohol are generally ordered into the One Day School which requires them to attend a one time, two hour session class. Driving While Intoxicated offenders in this age group are not appropriate for the One Day School.


URINANALYSIS
(Since March 1976)

PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: On March 1st, 1976, Porter Circuit Court Judge Alfred J. Pivarnik (later to become Supreme Court Justice) authorized Porter County to enter into a contract with Great Lakes Laboratories to drug test every person on Formal Probation (Juvenile and Adult) regardless of offense charged and/or conviction. In addition to urine testing, hair and saliva collection components have been utilized.

OPTIMAL USE: To do random drug screens on every individual under supervision whether on Home Detention, Pre-Trial or Formal Probation.


PRE-TRIAL SERVICES
(Since January 1978)

PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: While providing a neutral information gathering arm of the Court, Adult Probation Officers monitor individuals released from the Jail on low Bonds or on their own recognizance (O.R.) pending Court hearings. This has been done mostly to ensure the presence of the offender at the time of sentencing, and to apprise them of their Court date. This allows the Court to know that services being sought are being provided.

OPTIMAL USE: After reviewing the criminal, residential and employment histories, remove all low risk offenders from the Jail pending the appropriate disposition of their case.

TARGETED OFFENDER POPULATION: Those charged with non-violent felonies and misdemeanors whom are low risk or have health concerns such as heart failure, AIDS, severe medical problems, pregnant women, and geriatric offenders which require extensive medication.


NON-REPORTING (ADMINISTRATIVE) PROBATION
(Since January 1984)

PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: Probation Clerks track non-violent Misdemeanor cases for the Superior (County Division) Courts. Probation Clerks verify that various components of the Sentencing Order have been completed.

OPTIMAL USE: All legally challenged individuals with no prior criminal history who are charged with misdemeanors in our county that do not need the structure of Formal Probation.

TARGET POPULATION: First time misdemeanants arrested for non-violent offenses.


HOME DETENTION / ELECTRONIC MONITORING PROGRAM
(Since July 1989)

PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: To give the Judges of Porter County a dispositional alternative that will allow select offenders to be incarcerated in their homes who otherwise would have been committed to the Porter County Jail (PCJ) / Indiana Department of Correction (DOC) without jeopardizing the safety of the community. This program is punishment oriented and is the most severe Community Correction sanction available to the Judges in Porter County. There is a maximum of 60 offenders in the program and the offender pays one (1) hour of his/her wage as daily payment.

OPTIMAL USE: Prison bound and non-suspendable, non-violent felony offenders.

TARGETED OFFENDER POPULATION: Home Detention / Electronic Monitoring targets all non-violent Felony offenders who would be sentenced to the PCJ / DOC, if there was not such a program available. In particular, the optimal use of this program is placement of non-violent Felony offenders who have non-suspendable Felony offenses. To reach this narrow target population, a screening process is initiated prior to disposition to identify the following:

  1. Defendant's willingness to cooperate.
  2. Compliance with several Indiana Statutes (2.5 or 2.6) that govern Home Detention in Indiana.
  3. Meeting Program eligibility criteria.
  4. The offender pays a one time hook-up fee and daily hourly rate.



ANTABUSE PROGRAM
(Since January 1990)

PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: Alcoholism is a complex disease that must be understood in the context of an individuals drinking history, criminal arrest history and environment. Based on this philosophy, we provide a comprehensive service delivered corroboratively the treatment from Intensive Out-Patient (I.O.P.) and subsequently from Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.). We understand the reality approach necessary in dealing successfully in the assessment and treatment of repeat offenders. The offender pays $70 per month to participate.

OPTIMAL USE: Early intervention is best. This program should not be used only for repeat offenders.

TARGETED OFFENDER POPULATION: To remove individuals from the Porter County Jail (under Antabuse and Pre-Trial Supervision) while first being concerned with public safety. Individuals being released from Jail with Antabuse as a condition of Bond or while on Formal Probation are the most likely candidates, and those unable to remain sober on their own.


DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ELECTRONIC MONITORING PROGRAM
(Since January 1995)

PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: To provide an additional tool for the Court when dealing with offenders who are in need of both Pre-Trial and Post Sentencing Supervision. These individuals have been charged or convicted of violating the laws regarding issues of domestic violence. The offender pays $8.00 daily for the program. A spousal assault test determines their propensity to reoffend.

OPTIMAL USE: For offenders who show a pattern to re-offend (who are being released from Jail under strict conditions of Bond) that need stabilization and counseling which is available through the S.A.V.E. (Stop Abuse Violence Education) Program. Also, the victims can be offered empowerment programs which offer support for their needs. Please see C.A.L.M. Program description.

TARGETED OFFENDER POPULATION: Repeat offenders charged with domestic battery, invasion of privacy, intimidation (threat, threat of force, or with a deadly weapon), and stalking (harassment, threat of bodily injury, violation of a Protection Order, or with a weapon) offenses.


CASE CLASSIFICATION AND WORKLOAD MEASURES SYSTEM FOR INDIANA
(Since January 1995)

PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: Beginning January 1st, 1995, the Indiana Judicial Center made it mandatory for all Probation departments to have in place a Probation Case Classification and Workload Measure System. The purpose of this Case Management System is to accurately and appropriately supervise offenders that have a risk to re-offend. It also serves as a basis for the measurement of Probation Officers workload. This System prioritizes offenders of that Probation Department can hold the group with a risk to re-offend more accountable then those with a lower risk to offend.

This also helps Probation Departments determine how many Probation Officers are needed. This can be accomplished by determining how many HIGH, MEDIUM and LOW risk offenders are supervised by a department, and the work necessary to supervise each one based on the mandatory Indiana Workload Standards.

TARGETED OFFENDER POPULATION: Every Formal Probationer under supervision. This includes all Interstate and Intrastate transfer cases.


PROJECT PRO
(Since January 1997)

PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: Project PRO (Prevent Recurring Offenses) is a multi-disciplinary program developed by the Porter County Judiciary, Adult and Juvenile Probation Departments, Prosecutor's Office and Porter Starke Services to prevent recurring sexual offenses. Prior to the development of Project PRO in 1997, the Porter County Court System did not have an uniformity in the assessment, punishment and supervision of sex offenders. The offender pays for all treatment and counseling.

OPTIMAL USE: All sex offenders to have a Psychosexual Assessment completed prior to sentencing. This evaluation assists the Court of Porter County in determining the length of incarceration that is appropriate and if an offender is a candidate for treatment at sentencing.

If the Psychosexual Assessment indicates an offender is appropriate for treatment the offender, upon release from incarceration is ordered to participate in Project PRO as a condition of Probation. Ideally, a minimum of three (3) years in this program is recommended.

While in the program, a "supervision triangle" is formed by Probation / Project PRO Treatment Team and Poligrapher:

  1. Probation conducts high risk supervision (weekly contact) along with a Probation Officer attending every weekly group therapy session.
  2. Polygraph testing at least every four (4) months by a sex offender specific Poligrapher who is trained in sex offender specific polygraph testing.
  3. Project PRO Therapists, trained specifically for this type of offense, provide treatment through weekly group and individual sessions.


TARGETED OFFENDER POPULATION: All sex offenders who are known to the Porter County Court System. This includes Adults and Juveniles, Felony and Misdemeanants, Transfers from other jurisdictions, etc. The majority of offenders in this program are pedophiles but the program is for all sex offenders.


ADMINISTRATIVE PROBATION MODIFICATION (A.P.M.)
(Since May 1999)

PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: Act upon technical Violation of Probation in an efficient and expedient manner.

OPTIMAL USE: The first time a Probationer commits a technical violation of Probation.

TARGETED OFFENDER POPULATION: Offenders on both Unsupervised and Formal Probation.


COMMUNITY TRANSITIONAL PROGRAM (C.T.P.)
(Since September 1999)

PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: To help transition an offender from Prison into the community.

OPTIMAL USE: Offenders in the Indiana Prison system who are nearing the end of their Prison committment.

TARGETED OFFENDER POPULATION: Felony Offenders in the Indiana Department of Corrections (during their last 120 days) who are not a threat to public safety in our community and who have no history of violent offenses as part of past criminal history or while incarcerated.