County board hears probation systems report
News | Published on April 16, 2024 at 2:55pm EDT | Author: henningmaster
0By Tom Hintgen
Otter Tail County Correspondent
The county board of commissioners, on April 9, heard a probation systems report from Deputy Administrator Lynne Penke Valdes and consultant Jason Anderson.
There are two probation agencies that serve Otter Tail County.
A county office is responsible for the supervision of all juvenile matters and all adult misdemeanant/gross misdemeanant clients. A state Department of Corrections office is responsible for all adult felony clients.
Counties utilizing this system have increased local control concerning juvenile matters (including out-of-home placements and in-house programming) and setting supervision policies/practices.
There also is an internal program delivery for juvenile and adult misdemeanants/gross misdemeanants while benefiting from the services of the Department of Corrections in providing felony supervision.
Funding reform, the product of the Justice Reinvestment Initiative (JRI), a multi-year process that included a comprehensive state-wide assessment of community supervision, resulted in an increase of $193,000 in state dollars to the Otter Tail County Department of Corrections Office.
Many of the challenges identified, such as inconsistencies in supervision standards, are being addressed via a legislatively mandated supervision standards committee. The work of that committee is ongoing.
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The mission of the Otter Tail County Probation Department is to enhance public safety and victim reparation by guiding positive behavior change. This is done through innovative services, community support and effective community supervision.
The vision of the department is to create a safer Otter Tail County by being a leader in community supervision.
“We strive to provide steadfast professional and ethical behavior through a commitment to staff development and teamwork while being unified leaders in our communities,” says county Director of Probation Mike Schommer. “Our staff members use technology and effective intervention strategies.”
In addition, Schommer says the County Probation Department provides self-disciplined services, solid fiscal management, transparent communication and resources to best serve Otter Tail County.