The Nicollet Co. Probation Department's adult caseload responsibilities include:  supervision of all Court assigned adult misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor offenders, and felony offenders in our pre-trial release program, which includes preparation of domestic abuse investigations, pre-sentence investigations, chemical assessments, direct supervision of probation cases, bail evaluations, and casework documentation, including completion of all required reports.

 

The Pre-Trial Conditional Release Program was fully developed and started in 2006.  Any client who is placed on pre-trial conditional release with conditions is placed in this program, and their conditions are monitored.  These include offenders arrested for felony, gross misdemeanor, or misdemeanor offenses.

 

Nicollet Co. Probation completes pre-trial bail evaluations on in-custody defendants, who have been charged with an offense that is considered a felony, gross misdemeanor, or misdemeanor level "crime of violence" in Minnesota.  The pre-trial bail evaluation is completed prior to the defendant's initial appearance in court.  The evaluation contains information about the defendant and a screening scale that is helpful to the District Court Judge in determining the defendant's risk to himself or the community.  The pre-trial evaluation also provides information to the District Court to set effective conditions of release and a recommendation for a bond amount.

 

We received a grant in July 1993 as one of 10 pilot projects for intensive supervision programs for repeat DWI offenders.  We continue to operate this program with New Beginnings in St. Peter as the provider for treatment services.  The program is based upon high levels of supervision and support for clients who have failed many previous programs.  Random drug testing and up to 4 times per week personal contacts with the offenders are parts of this program.

 

Electronic Monitoring/House Arrest - We have utilized some of the newest technologies in the field of corrections for approximately 13 years as alternatives to jail sentences, as well as add-on sanctions for probation supervision.  All individuals participating in the ISAT Program will have some period of time on electronic monitoring/house arrest

 

Remote Electronic Alcohol Monitoring (REAM) - This is another technology that has been made available to the field of corrections in which individuals can be checked for alcohol use by having a device connected to the land line telephone at their home.  We are using REAM extensively for pre-trial release offenders and are using it in conjunction with electronic monitoring/house arrest for some sentenced offenders who are doing the combination in lieu of a jail sentence.

 

We have incorporated drug testing into our services for the past 14 years.  We currently own three portable breath testers (PBTs), as well as regularly collecting urinalysis tests, which are sent to labs that will generally get the result of any positive tests within 24 hours of receipt.  We have also begun using instant urine and saliva tests, which give us immediate detection of drug use.

 

Staff have taken an active role in the local MADD Chapter and have been instrumental in offering a Victim Impact Panel beginning in 1995 for those offenders convicted of DWI.  A client must be pre-registered to attend this program.

 

We have a full time county run program to provide sentencing alternatives to the Court.  Additionally, worthwhile projects are completed throughout the county.  The adult STS crew completed 7,896 hours in 2007.

 

This is a gender specific program for female offenders that deals specifically with some of the issues and challenges that are unique to females who have entered the criminal justice system.  It is a 17 week curriculum that is facilitated by department staff.

 

Staff in the department have been trained to facilitate an 18 week Cognitive Skills classes for both adults and juveniles.  This program operates through a curriculum, "Thinking for a Change," which helps assist offenders in examining and correcting thinking errors.

 

Project Nighthawk joins probation officers and law enforcement in partnership to ensure compliance of court orders through random home visits to hold clients accountable to probation and pre-trial release conditions, such as drug and alcohol testing, and curfew.

 

The Early Offender Program is a 3 hour program, which focuses on our thinking and how it influences what we do.  The facilitator for this program is contracted out through the Probation Department.  A client must be pre-registered to attend this program.