San Joaquin County Selects BI Incorporated to Open Day Reporting Program for Adult Probationers

STOCKTON, Calif.— April 21, 2010— The San Joaquin County Probation Department has selected BI Incorporated, the nation’s largest provider of treatment, training and supervision programs for community corrections, to open and operate a day reporting program for adult probationers. BI will provide treatment and case management services at the San Joaquin Day Reporting Center for offenders who pose a risk of failing probation. The center will open on May 3 and will be located at 24 South Hunter St. in Stockton.

To open this center, San Joaquin County is applying funds garnered through federal Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program funding provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) of 2009 for evidence-based probation supervision for adult felony offenders. Evidence-based practices refer to programs backed by scientific research to reduce recidivism. “Currently, 40 percent of new California prison admissions includes felony probationers who commit new crimes or fail conditions of release,” said John Thurston, VP of Reentry and Supervision Services. “If we reduce that percentage, the state and county save a lot of money and public safety is improved.”

Up to 75 adult offenders will be enrolled in the program. Probationers diverted to the center will go through a three-phase program that includes:

• 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 include one-on-one cognitive behavioral therapy, substance abuse counseling, employment services, and referrals to service providers for issues such as domestic violence, anger management, and parenting skills.
• An Aftercare component that includes relapse prevention elements, periodic check-ins with the case manager, and a long-term plan for successful community life.

Offenders will go to this program for up to 180 days. Failure to comply with rules and guidelines of the program will result in increased sanctions such as tighter curfews, additional classes, more frequent reporting, house arrest or re-incarceration. San Joaquin County Office of Education will also provide two on-site teachers to prepare offenders for the GED test or to earn a high school diploma.

BI also operates day reporting center programs for probationers in Monterey, Napa and Merced counties as well as centers for higher risk parolees for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in Fresno, Stockton and San Diego.

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.