Monroe County, Indiana

Re-entry from Incarceration

PAROLE:

If parole will be the community supervision agency after release from the Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC), parole officers help offenders once they are out of prison.  Parole Officers are responsible for providing services to offenders in order to help them transition successfully into the community.  Services include: helping offenders get into treatment; assisting with getting insurance; and helping with obtaining disability, housing, employment, etc.  Sometimes Parole Officers start working with offenders before their release, however, that is usually because they are in need of placement/housing and their IDOC caseworker reaches out to parole to assist.

In terms of talking with Parole Officers and/or IDOC caseworkers about offenders, generally this will require a “ROI” – release of information.  Parole Officers/IDOC case workers are not allowed to talk to people about offenders unless the offender gives permission.  So, if you are working with an offender and you want Parole/IDOC to provide you with information or help, you will need to have that offender sign a release to permit Parole/IDOC to speak with you about him/her.  The Parole Officer/IDOC caseworker in the facility can have the offender sign a release for you. 

BASICALLY EVERYONE RELEASED FROM PRISON IS RELEASED TO PAROLE, WITH THESE EXCEPTIONS: 

·         IDOC inmates who have lost all “Goodtime credit” due to behavior problems in prison could be “maxed out” – serving ALL of their time – and released to no post-release community supervision of any kind.

·         IDOC inmates could be released to a term of probation.  This is called a “split sentence” with the sentence issued by the Court split between prison and probation.  This is determined at sentencing.  It could also occur due to a post-sentence modification if approved by the Court.

·         IDOC inmates could be released to Community Transition Program (CTP).  See below. 

Each adult IDOC facility has an identified Re-Entry Coordinator to ensure that the Pre-Release course is being facilitated as designed.  The IDOC Pre-Release course is provided to each offender in a timely manner, so that all the necessary components and coursework are completed prior to release. Attendance in a Pre-Release Re-Entry program is mandatory for all releasing offenders.  The IDOC is permitted to modify the curriculum as necessary to ensure it meets the needs of the offender population.  The Pre-Release curriculum consists of the following general topics: Orientation, Economic Issues, Stress Issues, Family Related Issues (Parenting/Reintegration), Health and Wellness, Substance Abuse/Addictions Recovery Education and Resources, Community Programming, Budgeting, Employment Skill Building (i.e. resumes), and Community Resources.  The Pre-Release course also requires all participants to complete assigned homework.

The IDOC has a program called HIRE (Hoosiers in Re-Entry).  IDOC inmates work on education opportunities toward earning degrees and technical certifications.  They focus on helping offenders obtain employment upon discharge.  The IDOC Re-Entry liaison helps offenders once they are out of prison getting them connected to resources to be successful, including assistance with obtaining treatment, insurance, disability, housing, employment.  After release, the Parole Officer works with all aspects to help offenders.

RELEASE OPTIONS:

Community Transition Program (CTP) – Each eligible offender is automatically identified as eligible no more than 60 days and no less than 45 days prior to that offender’s CTP commencement date.  When offenders become eligible, the CTP staff notifies the sentencing court(s), the county prosecutor where the case originated, and the Community Corrections agency or assigned agency in that county.  Notification information includes the offender’s name, offense description, expected release date, CTP commencement date, security level and credit class, conduct summary an any other information that will the sentencing court to make an informed decision.  If the court issues an order approving the offender’s participation in CTP they will be transported to the sentencing county on the closest date to the CTP commencement date.  When offenders are first transferred to CTP, they are assessed and assigned a level of supervision at the local level.  They may be housed in the county jail until arrangements can be made for appropriate housing.  Depending on the county and the needs of the offender the eventual placement may be anything from assignment to a work release program, to returning the offender to their family while being monitored through electronic monitoring equipment.  Probation and Parole are in contact with the prison CTP coordinator to coordinate plans for the early release.   CTP is not a time cut.  It is merely a step down in terms of security and is designed to give the offender an opportunity for successful transition into society.

Day Reporting Program - Offenders report daily for supervision monitoring including alcohol and drug testing.

Home Detention - Offenders serve jail sentences in their homes while they are tethered to ankle bracelets for Electronic Monitoring.  GPS (Global Positioning) monitoring is used to keep closer tabs on more serious offenders.

Probation - Inmates being released from the IDOC usually are given written reporting instructions to report to “Chief Probation Officer Linda Brady.”  Persons being released from jail or prison must report, in person, to the main Probation Department office in the Curry Building, 214 W. 7th Street.  When reporting to the main Pronation office, directions will be provided regarding how to report for probation supervision.

The terms of probation supervision are set by the Court at sentencing, but those terms may be modified by the Court at any time during the person’s term of probation. 

Standard conditions of probation supervision are listed on the Probation Department’s website  www.co.monroe.in.us/probation  on the Adult Division page.  Email addresses for all probation officers are listed on the probation website landing page.