Merced County Day Reporting Center to hold
Transition Celebration for criminal offenders who complete
intensive program
Politicians, county officials to attend

MERCED, CALIF.—April 6, 2010—The Merced County Probation Department and BI Incorporated, the operator of an innovative day reporting program for probationers in Merced, will host a unique ceremony – called a Transition Celebration – for probationers who have successfully completed this criminal justice program. The Probation Department oversees BI and the program. The county received an award last year from the California State Association of Counties for implementing this program in an effort to reduce recidivism, jail crowding, and lower overall correctional costs. The center opened in March 2008, with a focus on managing younger offenders.

The ceremony will take place at Christian Life Center, 650 East Olive Ave., on Thursday, April 22, at 6 p.m. Representatives from several political offices and departments will attend, including Mayor Bill Sprigs, Chief of Police Norm Andrade, Police Lt. Andre Matthews, Hub Walsh of the board of supervisors, Louise Farley from Senator Jeff Denham’s office, and Erasmo Viveros from Representative Cathleen Galgiani’s office among others. In addition, Chief Probation Officer Brian Cooley, one of the main proponents of adding this innovative center to help tackle repeat offending by youthful and juvenile offenders, will attend.

At the Transition Celebration, Linda Lopez, a constituent Services/Field Representative from Congressman Dennis Cardoza’s office, will deliver the keynote talk. In addition, program graduates and former program participants will make remarks. More than 100 are expected to attend.

The Merced County Day Reporting Center, located at 3345 M Street, includes supporting the supervision efforts of probation officers, cognitive behavioral treatment, and training for offenders who typically recidivate at high cost to local taxpayers.

After one year, the DRC had excellent results. For example, 84 percent of clients who go through the program are employed or involved in school. These activities are a major stabilizer in offender’s lives, thereby helping them avoid criminal behavior. In addition, of offenders who have exited the program, there has been a 36 percent drop in assessed risk. Risk is determined by looking at criminal risk factors with an assessment tool used widely in corrections. Also, attendance rates to classes and counseling sessions have been very high.

The DRC is reserved for chronic offenders who require extra supervision. Offenders who report to the DRC go through a four-phase program that includes regular reporting to the center, intensive treatment and training, and ongoing testing for drug and alcohol use. Offenders also participate in classes geared to change criminal behavior.

The Merced County DRC is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, from noon to 5 p.m.

For more information about this Transition Celebration, please contact Patricia Carter, Program Manager, at (209) 723-0119.

About BI Incorporated (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. BI’s ISO 9001:2008 certified national monitoring center, owned and operated by BI, provides 24/7 expert support supervision services exclusively for governmental agencies. BI works closely with local public corrections officials to cost effectively reduce recidivism, promote public safety, and strengthen the communities it serves using evidence-based practices in a community setting.