About Us
INTEGRITY-TEAMWORK-RESPECT-HONESTY-EFFECTIVENESS-ACCOUNTABILITY
Statement of Purpose
We are committed to making the community safer
by reducing the risk of repetitive criminal behavior.
Court Services plays an integral role in the delivery of services to probationers as well as holding those probationers accountable for compliance with court orders and supervision rules. Court Services refers clients to outside agencies for services but also provides in-house programming (see Programming and Services). Office visits, urine drug screens, and home visits with searches are an important part of monitoring compliance. Searches are conducted in partnership with the Indiana State Police, Columbus Police Department and/or Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department.
Probation officers have two primary functions as defined by statute - to prepare social histories or Presentence Investigation Reports and supervise probationers. Social histories must be written on all juvenile delinquents awaiting out-of-home placement, while Presentence Investigation Reports are written on all adult defendants who could be imprisoned in excess of 1 year. Also included in these reports are various documents such as school records and psychiatric reports. The social history is a sentencing tool for the court.
The probation officer monitors probationers making sure conditions of probation are followed. If he/she is arrested or fails to follow through on a special condition such as not completing a treatment program, the probation department sets in motion a hearing to determine if a violation has occurred. If the probationer is found to be in violation, the probation officer may submit a sentencing recommendation.
In 1994, Bartholomew County changed how it did business. Adult/Juvenile Probation, Community Corrections and the Alternative Sentencing Program (Alcohol/Drug Program) were combined into Bartholomew County Court Services.
In August 2001, the National Institute of Corrections, The International Community Corrections Association, Indiana Department of Correction, Bartholomew County Court Services and Bartholomew County Courts sponsored an introductory training for “What Works.” The Judges, Sheriff, Prosecuting Attorney and the majority of Court Services staff attended this training that provided information on evidence based empirically validated programs. This information has provided direction for the Courts and Court Services. Since that training, the local judiciary, staff and community representatives have continued to meet to evaluate service delivery within the Courts, Court Services, Youth Services and local/state treatment agencies. Court Services continues to strive to reduce the risk of recidivism and to implement “What Works.”
Staff
Director/Chief Probation Officer: Bradford L. Barnes
Assistant Chief Probation Officer- Adult Services: Kimberly D. Maus
Assistant Chief Probation Officer- Juvenile Services: Nichole Phillips
Director of Community Corrections: Rob Gaskill
Supervisor, Community Corrections: Robin Winters
Supervisor, Residential Services: Dennis Prior
Supervisor, Adult/Director Alcohol and Drug Program: Stacey Harry
Programming
Programming and Services
FFT- Functional Family Therapy (2004) Youth ages 10-18, and their families, whose problems range from acting out to conduct disorder to alcohol/substance abuse. Often these families tend to have limited resources, histories of failure, a range of diagnoses, and conflict within the home.
SOC- Systems of Care (2004) Systems of Care is not a program — it is a philosophy of how care should be delivered. Systems of Care is an approach to services that recognizes the importance of family, school and community, and seeks to promote the full potential of every child and youth by addressing their physical, emotional, intellectual, cultural and social needs.
Parent Project- A 10-16 week parenting class designed for parents of strong-willed or out of control kids. The curriculum teaches concrete prevention, identification and intervention strategies for the most destructive adolescent behaviors (truancy, alcohol/drug use, gangs, runaways, and violent teens.
ART - Aggression Replacement Training focuses on learning how to reduce aggression and violence in both adult and adolescent populations.
TFAC- Thinking For A Change- curriculum uses as its core, a problem solving program embellished by both cognitive restructuring and social skills intervention
Moving On- is a 26 session curriculum-based program developed exclusively for women offenders. The primary goal of the program is to provide women with alternatives to criminal activity by assisting them to identify and mobilize both personal and community resources. The program is based on an educational and cognitive skills-building approach and can be delivered over 26 weeks in small groups or on an individual basis by trained correctional practitioners. In addition, a similar program is offered for adolescent females called Girls….Moving On.
Cognitive Behavioral Interventions for Substance Abuse (CBI) (2011)- a curriculum that relies on a cognitive-behavioral approach to teach participants strategies for avoiding substance abuse. Developed by the University of Cincinnati Corrections Institute, it is designed for individuals who are moderate to high need in the area of substance abuse. The program places heavy emphasis on skill-building activities to assist with cognitive, social, emotional and coping skills development. The components of the 38 session curriculum include: Motivational Engagement, Cognitive Restructuring, Emotional Regulation, Social Skills, Problem Solving, and Relapse Prevention
S.A.F.E. Stopping Abuse for Everyone (2011)- A 26 to 52 session cognitive behavioral based curriculum focusing on “new beginnings” for male domestic violence abusers. Focusing on Stages of Change, students learn specific skills to deal with potentially maladaptive situations in order to promote positive life-change. This curriculum utilizes an Interactive Journal to assist students in developing a roadmap to success as well as conventional journaling in a notebook.
Community Corrections
General Information
Indiana's community-based corrections began when the Indiana State Legislature passed the Community Corrections Act in 1980. This act enables counties "to develop a coordinated, local corrections criminal justice system," and it also allows for counties to provide "effective alternatives to imprisonment at the state level."
The Indiana Department of Correction has funded county programs under the Community Corrections Grant Act since 1980. Over half of all Indiana counties currently receive funding for Community Corrections programs. Some of the components being funded throughout the state include:
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Community Service Restitution / Public Restitution Programs
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Residential Programs
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Victim-Offender Reconciliation Program
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Home Detention/Electronic Monitoring
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Work Release
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Jobs Program, Work Empowerment and Jail Services Programs
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Work Crew, Jail Community Service, and Law Enforcement Restitution
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Day Reporting
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Community Transition Program (CTP)
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Forensic Diversion
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These components enable county judicial officials to expand and explore sentencing options and alternatives to jail or prison.
The Bartholomew County Community Corrections Department was organized after receiving state funds from the Department of Correction in August 1986. Currently operating several components under grant funds and project income (participant user fees), Bartholomew County has found community-based corrections to be a very integral part of its judicial system.
Services
- Home Detention- Original Component start date: April 1, 1989
- Electronic Monitoring
- Day Reporting- Original Component start date: November, 1999
- Community Service- Original Component start date: August 25, 1986
- Forensic Diversion- Original Component start date: April 2004
- Community Transition Program (CTP) - Original Component start date: FY ‘00-‘01
- Jail Work Crew- Original started in 1996
Probation
Adult
Adult Probation has one supervisor, six full-time Probation Officers (three of whom specialize in Alcohol/Drug cases), one part-time Probation Officer and a Secretary. In 2011, the active caseload for Alcohol/Drug Probation Officers averaged 146 cases per officer and Adult Probation Officers averaged 128 cases per officer. Adult Probation Officers completed 88 Presentence Investigation reports and 187 Records Checks, for a total of 275 reports.
For the year 2011, 967 misdemeanor cases and 371 Felony cases were recieved, and the year ended with 1,244 misdemeanor cases and 750 felony cases on probation. The total number of adults on probation at the end of 2011 was 1,994.
In addition, the Indidana Judicial Center certified Barthomoew County Court Services Alcohol/Drug Program in April of 2000. Re-certification was most recently conducted in 2011. Alcohol/Drug Probation Officers provide court ordered evaluations for persons having alcohol/drug charges and instruct "Prime For Life" which is a cognitive based alcohol/drug education group. In addition, through a contract with Su Casa, Court Services provides "Prime For Life" for Spnaish speaking clients.
Juvenile
Juvenile Probation consists of supervisor, 4 Probation Officers and a Secretary. In 2011, Juvenile Probation recieved 246 new supervisions and 743 new referrals. The average active caseload of a Juvenile Probation Officer is 39 probationers, plus pending referrals.
Juvenile Probation makes referrals to several home-based progrmas, residential programs and treatment agencies to provide services to juvenile delinquents and their families.
Further, in 2010, the Bartholomew Circuit Court recieved a JABG grant to operate a Mental Health Diversion program through Court Services. This program is in its third year of operation.
The chart below provides data related to commitments of local juveniles to the Indiana Department of Corrections and local programs and services.
Residential Services
Residential Services
Original Component start date: Sept. 2009
The Residential component is a long-awaited addition to the local community corrections. This component allows offenders to receive treatment and programming services in a setting that is both therapeutic and correctional. The component is designed for those offenders who are of significant risk to reoffend and have needs which require the benefit of a structured residential service-oriented program. Participants in the Residential Program work with Community Partners to address their identified risks and needs. In March 2011, the Residential Center began operating a female substance abuse program, W.R.A.P. (Women Recovering With a Purpose). This program is 4-6 months residential, followed by 6-8 months intensive supervision with continuing care. During the Residential Component, participants participate in the following program components; Seeking Safety, Texas Christian University (TCU) Mapping Enhanced Counseling, and The Change Companies: Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP). Seeking Safety is a present-focused therapy to help participants attain safety from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and substance abuse. TCU Mapping Enhanced Counseling is a cognitive strategy shown to be effective in increasing client motivation, engagement, participation, and retention in treatment. RDAP is tailored to help participants face criminal justice and drug use issues that are specific to them. During the continuing care portion of the program, participants are on Day Reporting and are required to attend three (3) to five (5) sessions per week, based on their individual treatment needs. Weekly sessions include: Moving On, RDAP Follow-Up, Case Management, and individual/family sessions.
Work Release Program
Work Release programs allow offenders to serve sentences in a correctional setting but maintain employment by being released to attend work. Work Release was housed in the Bartholomew County Jail until 2003 when it was suspended due to jail overcrowding. In 2009, Work Release was again offered as a sentencing option through the Residential Center.
How Do I...
How do I find out where Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meetings held?
South-Eastern Indiana Intergroup
Answering Service: (812) 350-8949
Main: (812) 663-0821
Or visit http://seig-aa.org
How do I request information to help individuals with substance abuse?
You can call Centerstone at (812) 379-2341 or visit their webpage.
How do I request an extension on my court services fees?
Discuss payment options with your probation officer.
How do I pay fees from the court services department?
They will need to be paid at the Clerk's Office in the Bartholomew County Courthouse.
How do I request to travel out of state while on probation?
Ask your probation officer how to make a travel request to the Courts, who must approve travel requests.
How do I report information on a probationer anonymously?
Please contact the Court Services Center via phone or through the Contact Us, with Court Services as the recipient.
How do I find out if I can have alcohol while on probation?
Standard probation rules for all that are placed on probation do not allow drinking alcohol. You can contact your probation officer for more information.
How do I register for probation if I live in a different county or state?
You will need to stop by the Court Services Center, and speak with a receptionist. They will help you begin the process.
Fees
General Fees
| Alcohol and Drug Fees | $400 |
| Court Costs | Per Court Order |
| Felony - Initial Fee | $100 |
| Felony - Monthly Fee | $30 |
| Misdemeanor - Administration Fee | $50 |
| Misdemeanor - Initial Fee | $50 |
| Misdemeanor - Monthly Fee | $20 |
| Transfer In - Intrastate Monthly Fee | $20 Misdemeanor/$30 Felony |
| Transfer In - Interstate Monthly Fee | Sending State order monthly fee amount |
| Felony - Administration Fee | $100 |