Today in America, there are over 5 million adults on
community supervision and most of these individuals are monitored by pretrial,
probation, and parole officers. Monitoring may take the form of home contacts,
drug testing, making sure the offender attends counseling sessions and helping
offenders to find suitable housing and employment. Many officers also supervise
offenders using electronic monitoring equipment which requires expert knowledge
of newer technologies.
Budget shortfalls mean that community corrections
professionals must be creative in finding solutions to make sure those they
supervise have the support needed to find jobs, housing, and treatment. By
collaborating with community leaders and volunteering their own time off work,
many officers are making a difference while faced with expanding caseloads and
additional responsibilities.
Locally, the Allegany County Probation Department provides
services to both the adult and youth populations. The Officers provide
background investigations for the Criminal and Family Courts. The Department
has Pre-Trial services and a Community Service Program. We contact victims to
provide them an avenue to express their thoughts and concerns to the Courts.
Our Officers collect restitution for the victims and fines and court fees. We
hold offenders accountable through alcohol and drug testing, electronic
monitoring, home visits, and ignition interlocks. We provide cognitive
behavioral programs to help the offenders learn to change their behaviors. Our
support staff distributes the restitution and fine payments; pay our bills and
help out with the budgeting process; and are often the first persons someone
interacts with when calling in or reporting personally to our office. Our
Department works collaboratively with many agencies that provide other services
that our clientele need. The cost of the
criminal justice services in Allegany County would be much greater if probation
services were not available. Probation
faces some challenges in the future with the second phase implementation of the
“Raise the age” law that goes into effect on October 1, 2019 and the “Bail
Reform” legislation that commences on January 1, 2020. However, we are
confident that we will be able to meet these challenges and adapt our programs to
address these changes.
Members of our community are encouraged to join together
during Pretrial, Probation, & Parole Supervision Week to honor those who
work to make our communities a safer place to live. If you know someone who
works for the Allegany County Probation Department, please take a minute and
thank them for their hard work and dedication to our part in the Criminal
Justice system For additional information about Pretrial, Probation, and Parole
Supervision Week, please contact Robert P. Starks, Director, at Allegany County
Probation Department at (585) 268-9370 or visit the Department’s website at www.alleganyco.com.