The Merced County Day Reporting Center, opened by the Merced County Probation Department to focus on getting younger criminal offenders out of the system through treatment and training, is celebrating its first anniversary in operation. The Center will host an open house for local officials on April 23 from 3 to 6 p.m. The center is located at 3345 M Street.
The Merced County DRC includes supporting the supervision efforts of probation officers, cognitive behavioral treatment, and training for offenders who typically recidivate at high cost to local taxpayers.
Media Note: Please call Patricia Carter at (209) 723-0119 to R.S.V.P. to the open house.
After one year, the DRC is seeing 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.
Offenders are placed at different levels of treatment and training based on assessed risks and needs. They are monitored closely with daily check-ins, advanced drug-testing techniques, computerized data collection and intensive case management. Failure to comply with rules and guidelines at the DRC results in increased sanctions such as tighter curfews, house arrest, or incarceration. Even when they complete the program, participants are required to return periodically for Aftercare sessions.
Merced County partnered with BI Incorporated, a national community corrections provider, to operate this program. BI operates more than 30 of these program nationally, and six in California.
In part, the Merced County Probation Department used state funding to implement this unique program. The state, with SB 81 passed in 2007, provided local communities funding to develop programs for youthful offenders or juveniles. Youthful offenders are between 18 and 25 years old. A majority of the DRC participants are under 25. Merced County has focused on these young offenders in an attempt to change their criminal ways, save the community in the long term, and improve public safety. In addition, by diverting offenders to this program, jail overcrowding was reduced.
Additionally, last June the Merced County Probation Department added another Day Reporting Center program specifically for juvenile offenders. The Merced County Juvenile Day Reporting Center, also operated by BI, shares a location with the adult day reporting center, but has a separate staff and modified treatment curriculum.
The California State Association of Counties recently recognized the Merced County Day Reporting Center for offering innovative programs for both adult and juvenile offenders with coverage in its state publication.
About BI Incorporated (www.bi.com)
Established in 1978, BI Incorporated is the leading technology and supervision company in community corrections today. BI has contracts with more than 1,000 governmental agencies nationwide, supporting them with a full continuum of intensive supervision technologies and community-based counseling, treatment services, and reentry programs for adult and juvenile offenders. BI’s 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.
