Madera County to Open Day Reporting Program for Probationers

Using federal and state funds, Madera County opened the Madera County Core Day Reporting Program on Aug. 9 for medium- to high-risk probationers released to community supervision. The Core Day Reporting Program includes an affordable and collaborative approach to holding offenders accountable when they are released to community supervision, classes to change criminal behavior, and links to other services in an effort to reduce costly recidivism and overcrowding at local and state facilities.

Madera, CA (PRWEB) August 17, 2010

Using federal and state funds, Madera County opened the Madera County Core Day Reporting Program on Aug. 9 for medium- to high-risk probationers released to community supervision. The Core Day Reporting Program includes an affordable and collaborative approach to holding offenders accountable when they are released to community supervision, classes to change criminal behavior, and links to other services in an effort to reduce costly recidivism and overcrowding at local and state facilities.

The program is managed by the Madera Probation Department’s Adult Services Division. The department selected BI Incorporated, a national community corrections firm, to operate the Core Day Reporting Program. BI has worked with the county for years to supply electronic monitoring equipment and services, and BI operates day reporting programs throughout California. Officials say they selected BI because it has a good history working with the Probation Department and because BI operates similar day reporting programs successfully in other jurisdictions. The Probation Department has dedicated one officer to work collaboratively with the BI Case Manager to assist with the supervision and implementation of rehabilitative strategies to help probationers succeed in the Day Reporting Program.

A key component of the program is the use of cognitive-behavioral therapy, which is administered by BI staff. In addition, BI oversees additional services through partner organizations in the community. Up to 30 probationers will participate in the program at one time, and each will move through three phases:

•     An assessment and planning phase that includes reviewing criminogenic risk and needs and developing a behavior change plan for each participant.
•     A treatment phase that includes weekly cognitive skills training classes that focus on changing criminal behavior, one-on-one case management, and referrals to community-based resources for issues such as substance abuse.
•     An Aftercare component that includes relapse prevention elements, periodic check-ins with the case manager, and a long-term plan for succeeding in the community.

The program is located at 14241 Road 28 in Madera. Offenders attend this program for up to 180 days. Failure to comply with rules and guidelines of the program results in increased sanctions such as restricted curfews, additional classes, more frequent reporting, house arrest or re-incarceration.

Initial funding for this program is supplied by the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Additional funding for the program comes from the California Community Corrections Performance Incentives Act of 2009, which encourages county probation departments to establish evidence-based programs—those proven to work in correctional settings—to reduce prison incarceration levels. The BI day reporting model includes use of Moral Reconation Therapy, a cognitive behavioral therapy program proven effective in more than 100 studies.

Madera County Probation (http://www.madera-county.com/probation/)
The main probation office is located at 209 West Yosemite Avenue in Madera. The Adult Services Division of the probation department is located at 14241 Road 28, Madera, CA 93638. For more information, call (559) 675-6739.

About BI Incorporated (http://www.bi.com)
Established in 1978, BI Incorporated is the leading technology, treatment and supervision company in community corrections today. BI contracts with approximately 900 governmental agencies nationwide, supporting them with a full continuum of intensive supervision technologies and community-based cognitive behavioral reentry programs for adult and juvenile offenders.

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