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Community Corrections Programs
Community Supervision
At any given time, approximately 500 felony and misdemeanant Benton County offenders are serving their sentences in the community under the supervision of Parole and Probation Officers. This is known as "community supervision." It provides supervision and sanctions to convicted Benton County offenders on probation, parole or post-prison supervision. Supervising Parole and Probation Officers perform regular, random checks at offender homes, ensure that offenders pay court-ordered restitution, fines and supervision fees, conduct pre-sentence investigations and assessments of offender risk, and enter offenders into rehabilitation programs. Contrary to some popular belief, many offenders can be safely and effectively supervised in the community without having to compete for costly and scarce jail cells. Of those who complete their probation, parole or post-prison supervision each year, approximately 70 percent do so successfully.
Administration
Running cost-effective Community Corrections programs requires a great deal of planning and evaluation. This is the domain of the Parole and Probation management team. In addition to day-to-day supervision, administration develops biennial community corrections plans as required by Oregon law, new programs, annual evaluations of all existing programs, budgets, operational policies and procedures, staff training and community education. Administration provides advice and guidance on matters of community corrections to the Board of Commissioners, the Sheriff and the Local Public Safety Coordinating Council.
Drug Testing
Urine samples are regularly and randomly taken from clients with a past or present drug addiction by Parole and Probation Officers. These samples are either tested immediately using on-the-spot drug testing technologies, or sent to a laboratory for analysis. Results are quickly forwarded to the supervising Parole and Probation Officer. Studies by the National Institute of Justice have found a substantial correlation between drug usage and criminal arrests. Locally, regular drug testing has proven to be a deterrent to drug use. Of all samples tested, approximately 20% are positive for drug usage.
Sex Offender Supervision
A specially-trained Parole and Probation Officer supervises all sex offenders in Benton County. This includes home visits and searches, risk assessment, referral of offenders to proper treatment programs, monitoring treatment progress, scheduling of polygraph examinations, arranging for the taking of DNA samples, keeping current addresses for sex offender registration, coordinating sex offender notification activities and management of the Benton County Sex Offender Community Notification web page. This kind of preventative approach seeks to interdict the sex offender's offense cycle before it progresses to the stage of repeat criminal activity.
Transition Program
This program works to ensure the smooth reintegration process for offenders returning to Benton County from extended sentences in the Oregon Department of Corrections prison institutions as well as offenders serving sentences of less than one year in the Benton County Corrections Facility as part of Senate Bill 1145. The Transition Officer's job is to identify these offenders long before the scheduled day of release, and assist the offenders in preparing realistic release plans.
Work Crew and Community Service Coordination
Unpaid work is a cost-effective way for offenders to pay back their debt to society. It frees up valuable jail space for more dangerous offenders. Benton County Community Corrections coordinates both work crew and community service work. Work crews, supervised by the Benton County Parks Department, perform supervised work projects in county parks and public works in lieu of jail time. Offenders also perform community service work in public or private non-profit agencies generally in lieu of fines. Offenders perform over 20,000 hours of unpaid labor in both programs each year.
Outpatient Alcohol and Drug Treatment
At least 80 percent of Benton County offenders have alcohol and/or drug problems. Through a partnership with Benton County Health Department, outpatient alcohol and drug treatment is provided for Benton County offenders. Health Department counselors work at the New Beginnings Treatment Center providing a continuum of services for corrections offenders. Different levels of outpatient treatment are offered: An education group for offenders whose alcohol and drug issues are less ingrained and an intensive outpatient program for offenders whose addiction is more serious.
Sex Offender Group Therapy
Although deviant sexual urges can never be "cured," sex offenders can be taught how to effectively control their deviancy through intensive group therapy, coupled with strict supervision and periodic polygraph examinations. Through a partnership with John Caywood, MS, a sex offender treatment therapist from the Salem area, specialized group therapy is now provided at the Parole and Probation department for indigent Benton County sex offenders. Mr. Caywood works in conjunction with the Parole and Probation Officer assigned to supervise the sex offender caseload to enhance community safety.
Employment Counseling and Job Search
Helping offenders obtain gainful employment is one of the most successful ways of rehabilitation. According to a 2001 study of Georgia parolees, each day of employment results in a one percent reduction (i.e. 30% over a month) in the likelihood of arrest. Employment counseling and job search classes are offered to Benton County offenders at the Parole and Probation office. Offenders are taught how to fill out job applications, how to interview, and how to keep a job once obtained. Then they are given opportunities to practice these skills by engaging in supervised job searches.
