Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This ordinance authorizes the Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court to enter into contract with Alvis, Inc. for assessment specialist services. The Court was awarded a grant which provided incentive dollars based Probation’s ability to meet certain pre determined goals. The Court was awarded $100,000 in incentive which is to be used for expanding and supplementing community correction programs.
In 2015, the Department of Probation Services (DOPS) committed to becoming an evidence-based organization, and to employing the Risk, Needs, Responsivity (RNR) Principle through a differential, risk-based supervision structure. Two major hurdles were identified in the planning phase: how to manage the high volume of new cases that the DOPS receives (approx. 500/month) while keeping caseloads manageable; and how to allow placement, duration and programming decisions to be guided by the assessment without access to the information prior to sentencing. In a significant demonstration of commitment to this project, the judges agreed that they would allow these decisions to be made post-sentence, by the DOPS.
Defendants sentenced to a period of probation report to the DOPS for intake and screening by the DOPS Support Unit. If screened as moderate or high risk, or eligible for one of the specialized caseloads, defendants are assigned to the corresponding unit where she/he will receive a full assessment(s). Defendants may be transferred to another supervision level if the screening and assessment risk levels differ. It is not uncommon for cases to be transferred between officers as part of this post-screening and assessment process. Due to significant caseload sizes it takes officers several weeks to complete the assessment process. This delay can have a negative impact on the success of the defendant and increase their risk of re-offending if their criminogenic needs are not identified early in their supervision.
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