This section is
devoted to brief descriptions of the “basic services” offered by the Hill
County CSCD.
I. Pre-Trial supervision services
The department provides
pre-trial supervision services pursuant to conditions of bonds, stipulations of
Pre-Trial Diversion Program contracts, or rules of Behavioral Consideration
Program bonds/contracts/orders. A more
complete description of the specialized programs available can be obtained by
contacting the Department.
II.
Pre/Post-Sentence
Investigation Services
The department
provides pre/post-sentence investigation services upon order of the Court. The PSI process consists of obtaining both
subjective and objective information, verifying same to the extent possible,
developing a proposed supervision plan (should the defendant be placed under
supervision), and reporting the results of said investigation back to the
Court. In order to produce a “quality product”,
the department conducts in-depth interviews with defendants in order to obtain
relevant social history and information pertinent to Case Classification
assessment. If indicated, specialized
evaluations are conducted through departmental stag and/or area resources. A thorough records check is accomplished and
verified to the extent possible, and a comprehensive review of the instant
offense’s reports, case reports, supplements, witness statements, and victim
impact information is conducted. If medical
or psychological information is pertinent, documentation is obtained if
possible. Once the information has been
gathered and analyzed, the proposed supervision plan is developed using
individual issue specific guidelines in order to ensure objectivity and a
degree of parity in our recommendations.
The department is very cognizant of the confidential, sensitive nature
of the information and report developed though the PSI process, thus the
department stringently adheres to the strictures of the law regarding
the release of the PSI.
III. Briefing, Assessment, and Evaluation Services
The department
provides briefing, assessment, and evaluation services pursuant to Court orders
and statutory mandates. During the
initial intake briefing with an offender, the conditions of supervision are
explained thoroughly, item by item, and the offender’s acknowledgment of
understanding is obtained by signature.
Via this process, the CSC Officer ensures that the legal paperwork is in
the correct order, and that the offender has a copy of same, served by the
clerk of the Court. If any errors are
detected, corrections are obtained through appropriate officials, and
disseminated to the offender and all other relevant parties. During the intake process all relevant information
is garnered to comply with the required CSTS (Community Supervision Tracking
System) reporting. If the Court has
ordered a specialized evaluation, such evaluation is completed at intake if
available via the CSCD, or the offender is immediately referred to an
appropriate resource provider. At the
close of the initial intake briefing, future reporting instructions and any
immediate referrals are issued. Also, a
“baseline” urinalysis is taken for future benchmark purpose, and offenders are
briefed as to the judicially adopted urinalysis admonishment pursuant to this
jurisdiction’s “Zero Tolerance” policy.
In the case of offenders whose supervision will remain in Hill County,
the first appointment after intake is for an SCS/Assessment Interview. The assessment process is very similar to
the PSI process, and in misdemeanor cases is generally the sole foundation for
supervision/treatment planning. Any
specialized evaluations indicated during the assessment process are completed
and/or arranged during the assessment interview. Specialized evaluation results are summarized and reported to the
Court for amendment consideration. The
department routinely uses the SASSI, Mortimer-Filkins, NDP and MAST (substance
abuse evaluation instruments), along with driving record, criminal history,
blood alcohol concentration (if applicable), self-perception, urinalysis
testing, and instant offense information in developing substance abuse
evaluation summaries. Recommendations stemming from these evaluations are developed
using individual issue specific guidelines in order to ensure objectivity and a
degree of parity. Other types of
specialized evaluations (i.e.: for
mental health issues, learning disabilities, etc.) are arranged through area
services/agencies. Once the
intake/assessment process is completed, the information feeds into the State
mandated Case Classification Risk & Needs Assessment from which derives the
caseload assignment, level of supervision, and SCS strategy group designation. The officer receiving the new client
immediately completes a force field analysis and appropriate supervision
plan(s).
IV. Supervision Services
The department
provides an array of supervision services in the context of a four-tier
supervision system, with Level I being the most intensive and Level IV the
least restrictive. As previously
stated, the level assignment ties directly to the State mandated Risk/Needs
assessment: a Level I assignment requires a maximum score on both
the Risk and Needs sections; a Level II assignment results from a maximum
score on either the Risk or Needs sections; a Level III
assignment results from medium score on either the Risk or
Needs sections; a Level IV assignment results from a minimum score on both
the Risk and Needs sections. The level assignment and on-going behaviors
serve to intensify or relax reporting requirements, rehabilitative referrals,
urinalysis testing, surveillance visitation, supervision/treatment plan
monitoring, CSR monitoring, budget counseling and unemployment procedures. All of these supervision services are
considered “the basics”. In September 1995, another “basic” was added when the
judiciary and the department adopted a “Zero Tolerance” policy regarding
substance abuse while under supervision.
This policy requires the CSC Officer to immediately report a “positive”
urinalysis, and bring the client plus urine sample to supervisory staff. A supervisor then confers with the offender
regarding their decision as set forth in the urinalysis admonishment, i.e.: to
acknowledge and accept the positive screening result or to request
laboratory GC/MS confirmation. The
Supervisor also ensures the offender either elects to abide by the judicial
prohibition against driving after testing positive or calls appropriate
law enforcement officers for intervention.
Following this protective intervention a violation report is filed,
usually recommending that rehabilitative interventions be instituted, and if
successful, no further legal action is deemed necessary; however, if the
offender continues to use and/or fails to comply with the rehabilitative
sanctions, a violation report may lead to more restrictive interventions and/or
revocation action. Supervision also
entails investigating other possible violations, preparing Violation Reports,
and providing credible testimony as needed.
Occasionally, “supervision” entails more esoteric services such as
electronic monitoring, medication therapy monitoring, curfew monitoring, and
community corrections facility placements.
These services are also available through the department.
V. Collection Services
The department
provides collection services for Court ordered fines, costs, fees, and
restitution.
VI. Educational Services
The department
provides certified instructors for the timely provision of State mandated DWI
and Drug education programs. The
department also provides an Educational Skill Level testing service to aid the
Courts in meeting the statutory requirements.
VII. Professional Services
The department provides licensed/certified counselors for the
rehabilitative programs and counseling groups available to the offenders and
Courts. Additionally, the department
facilitates and coordinates the Court’s interface with the SAFPF and State Jail
Facilities/programs. When needed to
effect placements, the department can also provide for physical and
psychological examinations.
VIII. Administrative Services
The department
provides leadership and technical support for the development of the Community
Justice Plan for the jurisdiction. The department
ensures compliance with TDCJ-CJAD Standards, financial guidelines, and
contract requirements. The department
provides budget preparation and administration services. The department provides grant-writing
services.
