Problem
Problematic Behavior Or Activity
To reduce the number of Department of Corrections prison intakes in Washington County, IRISS provides the Court an enhanced community supervision alternative to prison; uses risk, needs, and responsivity to determine viable sentence options; creates and enforces evidence-based conditions of supervision; and holds offenders accountable through improved matching of supervision, services, and sanctions based upon the needs of offenders.
Successful transition into the community includes assessments of the following domains: Reduction in Risk/Needs Factors through the LS/CMI; Stages of Change; Stability-Independence; Sobriety-Support; Transition Coping Skills; and Attitude Orientation.
Without intensive supervision, this population of offenders is more likely to continue to victimize citizens in the community. Washington County is also less able to consider allowing more eligible offenders to be supervised locally through a downward departure or Short Term Trans Leave.
Solution
Program Description
Community Corrections worked in partnership with other Washington County Public Safety organizations to evaluate their criminal justice system. Prior to sentencing, the Court refers felony drug and property offenders for a presentence IRISS assessment. The assessment provides the Court a recommendation regarding system response options to manage the defendant in the community if appropriate. Recommendations are based on individual criminogenic risk and needs criteria that identify whether the defendant may be a candidate for community supervision.
Each of the service components play a crucial role assisting the offender in remaining crime-free and achieving pro-social behaviors. Service components include:
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Recovery Mentors: responsible for connecting offenders to community support, treatment, housing, and individualized support. An additional Employment Recovery Mentor assists participants in job search and employment retention.
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Housing: offender eligibility to reside in a clean and sober house to facilitate recovery
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Substance Abuse: a Continuum of Care Outpatient Treatment Services provide a range of services delivered consistent with the medical necessity.
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: completion of two different but complementary cognitive behavioral experiences.
Based On Research
Validated Risk Assessment Tools used include PSC, LS/CMI, URICA , and TCU Drug Screen.
Case plans are entered into Corrections Information System (CIS) and Offender Management System (OMS).
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy includes Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) and Thinking for Change.
Funding
2015-17 Justice Reinvestment Grant funds: $2,784,354
Outcome
Program Impact
Measurable outcomes include:
90% connection of IRISS participants to support groups within one week of intake;
90% connection of IRISS participants to CODA treatment program within one week of intake;
90% connection of IRISS participants to clean and sober housing within 14 days of intake;
90% of IRISS participants will remain arrest-free at the 90-day participation date;
73% of job-ready IRISS participants will achieve full-time employment within 90 days of intake;
IRISS participants who are job ready and who are placed in full-time jobs will achieve an average wage of $10.50 per hour;
IRISS participants placed in full time jobs will achieve a 75% retention rate within 90 days of placement;
8 IRISS participants annually will enroll in the CODA treatment program and 60% will graduate from the program after achieving program objectives;
80 IRISS participants annually will complete the Six Step MRT Job Readiness Program;
80 IRISS participants annually will engage in the Twelve Step MRT Program and 75% will complete Step 3; 50% will complete Step 6; and 10% will complete Step 9 or above; and/or
80 IRISS participants will engage in Thinking for Change and 75% will complete lesson 12; 50% will complete lesson 18; and 25% will complete lesson 24.
Critical Success Factors
The program has not yet been implemented; it is too soon to identify the factors critical to its success.
Lessons Learned
The program has not yet been implemented; it is too soon to provide advice.