Programs Used

Internship Program

(Since January, 1972)

PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: The Porter County Adult Probation Department's Internship program provides students with both an educational and a professional experience within the criminal justice field. The internship serves as a capstone of a student's formal education. It provides a hands-on application of knowledge and information learned throughout their years at college. Many hours have been served within the department by interns from the major colleges and universities within Indiana as well as the surrounding states.

The intern is supervised by the office internship coordinator who is responsible for monitoring this program and for serving as the liaison to the other individual officers and to the schools assigning interns to the Probation Department. After a period of introduction, the student will also be assigned to work one-on-one with another probation officer who will serve as the intern's direct supervisor.

The duties of a Probation Officer can be divided into two major realms -- one of supervision and one of investigation. The intern will be oriented to all duties and roles of a Probation Officer, both supervision and investigation.

OPTIMAL USE: For those students in their senior year of college earning a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice, Psychology, Sociology or Social Work. Also for the Master's Degree level students who need to fulfill this requirement. For example, Ball State University (Muncie, Indiana) Criminal Justice students spend an entire semester with us earning 15 credit hours.

Drug Testing - Oral Fluid - Urinalysis

(Since March 1976) 

PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: On March 1st, 1976, Porter Circuit Court Judge Alfred J. Pivarnik (later to become Supreme Court Justice) authorized Porter County to enter into a contract with Great Lakes Laboratories to drug test every person on Formal Probation (Juvenile and Adult) regardless of offense charged and/or conviction. Both urine and saliva collection methods are utilized.

OPTIMAL USE: To do random drug screens on every Probationer under supervision whether on Formal Probation or Pre-Trial Supervision.

Pre-Trial Services

(Since January 1978) 

PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: While providing a neutral information gathering arm of the Court, Adult Probation Officers supervise offenders released from the Jail on low bonds or on their own recognizance (O.R.) pending Court hearings. This has been done mostly to ensure the presence of the offender at the time of sentencing, and to apprise them of their Court date. This allows the Court to know that services being sought are being provided. Most importantly, it allows for a decrease in the jail population and overcrowding.

OPTIMAL USE: After reviewing the criminal, residential and employment histories, remove all low risk offenders from the Jail pending the appropriate disposition of their case.

TARGETED OFFENDER POPULATION: Those charged with non-violent felonies and misdemeanors who are low risk or have health concerns such as heart failure, AIDS, severe medical problems, pregnant women, and geriatric offenders who require extensive medication.

Non-Reporting Probation and Level II Probation

(Since January 1984) 

PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: Probation Clerks track non-violent Misdemeanor cases for the Superior (County Division) Courts. Probation Clerks verify that various components of the Sentencing Order have been completed.

OPTIMAL USE: All legally challenged Probationers with no prior criminal history who are charged with Misdemeanors in our county who do not need the structure of Formal Probation.

TARGET OFFENDER POPULATION: First time Misdemeanants arrested for non-violent offenses.

Antabuse Program

(Since January, 1990) 

PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: Alcoholism is a complex disease that must be understood in the context of an individual's drinking history, criminal arrest history, and environment. Based on this philosophy, we provide a comprehensive service which includes treatment from Intensive Out-Patient (I.O.P.) and Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.), along with the prescribed medication Antabuse (Disulfiram). Antabuse produces a sensitivity to alcohol which results in a highly unpleasant reaction when the patient ingests even small amounts of alcohol. The Porter County Health Department dispenses the medication three times a week. The Probationer pays $120 per month to participate.

OPTIMAL USE: Early intervention is best. This program is used for offenders who suffer from alcoholism and/or have a history of alcohol related offenses.

TARGETED OFFENDER POPULATION: To remove offenders from the Porter County Jail (under Antabuse and Pre-Trial Supervision) while first being concerned with public safety. Offenders being released from Jail with Antabuse as a condition of bond or while on Formal Probation are the most likely candidates, and those unable to remain sober on their own.

Domestic Violence Evaluation and Monitoring Program

(Since January 1995) 

PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: To provide an additional tool for the Court when dealing with offenders who are in need of both Pre-Trial and Post Sentencing Supervision. These offenders have been charged or convicted of violating the laws regarding issues of domestic violence. A spousal assault test determines their propensity to reoffend.

OPTIMAL USE: For offenders who show a pattern to re to offend (who are being released from Jail under strict conditions of Bond) that need stabilization and counseling which is available through the S.A.V.E. (Stop Abuse Violence Education) Program. Also, the victims can be offered empowerment programs which offer support for their needs.

TARGETED OFFENDER POPULATION: Repeat offenders charged with domestic battery, invasion of privacy, intimidation (threat, threat of force, or with a deadly weapon), and stalking (harassment, threat of bodily injury, violation of a Protection Order, or with a weapon) offenses.

Case Classification And Workload Measures System

(Since January, 1995) 

PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: Beginning January 1st, 1995, the Indiana Judicial Center made it mandatory for all Probation departments to have in place a Probation Case Classification and Workload Measure System. The purpose of this Case Management System is to accurately and appropriately supervise Probationers that have a risk to re to offend. It also serves as a basis for the measurement of Probation Officers workload. This System prioritizes Probationers with a higher risk to re to offend more accountable then those with a lower risk.

This also helps Probation Departments determine how many Probation Officers are needed. This can be accomplished by determining how many HIGH, MEDIUM and LOW risk Probationers are supervised by a Department, and the work necessary to supervise each one based on the mandatory Indiana Workload Standards. In 2010 the Indiana Judicial Center implemented a new Risk Assessment called Indiana Risk Assessment System (IRAS) 

TARGETED OFFENDER POPULATION: Every Formal Probationer under supervision. This includes all Interstate and Intrastate transfer cases.

Administrative Probation Modification (A.P.M.)

(Since May, 1999)

PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: Act upon technical Violation of Probation in an efficient and expedient manner.

OPTIMAL USE: The first time a Probationer commits a technical violation of Probation.

TARGETED OFFENDER POPULATION: Probationers on both Unsupervised and Formal Probation.

Community Transitional Program (C.T.P.)

(Since September, 1999) 

PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: To help transition an offender from Prison into the community.

OPTIMAL USE: Offenders in the Indiana Prison system who are nearing the end of their Prison commitment.

TARGETED OFFENDER POPULATION: Felony Offenders in the Indiana Department of Corrections.

Interstate Probation

(Since 1937)

New Rule Implementation: 08-01-04

PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: The transfer of Probationers from Porter County, Indiana to their home state.

OPTIMAL USE: For Probationers that reside outside the State of Indiana, the transfer of supervision to their home state is required by Federal Guidelines. For those Probationers not qualifying under the ICAOS Rules, they must remain in the State of Indiana during their term of supervision. There is a non-refundable $125.00 Transfer Fee that is due the day of Sentencing. Probationers are also responsible for the initial startup fees for Probation.

TARGETED POPULATION: Probationers that reside outside the State of Indiana.

Related Link: Interstate Commission for Adult Offender Supervision Website

Intrastate Probation

New Rule Implementation: 01-01-09

PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: The transfer of Probationers from Porter County, Indiana to the County of their residence in Indiana.

OPTIMAL USE: For Probationers who reside in other counties in the State of Indiana that lack the resources necessary to report to the Porter County Adult Probation Office. There is a $75.00 Transfer Fee due to the receiving county upon acceptance. Probationers are also responsible for the initial startup fees for Probation and fees due to the Court.

TARGETED POPULATION: Probationers that reside outside of Porter County, Indiana.

Related Link: Indiana Judicial Branch Website

The SCRAM Bracelet (Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor)

(Since 2007)

The SCRAM Program is a privilege afforded by the Court as an alternative to Jail. The Program assists the Courts with state-of-the-art technology for monitoring alcohol consumption 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The lightweight SCRAM Bracelet is worn 24/7. Once a day, the SCRAM modem will download stored tests and send them electronically to the monitoring agency who then notifies Total Court Services in the event of a positive test result or tampering. Failure to comply with any term(s) of the SCRAM Agreement will be reported immediately to the Court as a violation and may be construed as contempt of Court and/or a violation of the Court's Order.

The fee schedule is as follows:

• $100.00 - Installation Fee
• $360.00 - Monthly Fee

Ignition Interlock

(Since 2007)

Ignition Interlock is a breath test device linked to a vehicle's ignition system. When a Probationer wishes to start their vehicle, they must first blow into the device. The vehicle will not start unless the driver's alcohol concentration is below a pre-set blood alcohol concentration (BAC). A data recorder logs the driver's BAC for each attempt to start the vehicle. Interlocks may be calibrated to have "rolling retest," which requires a driver to provide breath tests at regular intervals, preventing Probationers from asking a sober friend to start their car, drink while driving, or leaving the car idling in a parking lot.

The fee schedule is as follows:

• $100.00 - Installation Fee
• $120.00 - Monthly Fee
• $100.00 - De to Installation Fee

Project Pro

(This Program is monitored by Porter County PACT)

(Since January, 1997) 

PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: Project PRO (Prevent Recurring Offenses) is a multi-disciplinary program developed by the Porter County Judiciary, Adult and Juvenile Probation Departments, Prosecutor's Office and Porter Starke Services to prevent recurring sexual offenses. Prior to the development of Project PRO in 1997, the Porter County Court System did not have any uniformity in the assessment, punishment and supervision of sex offenders. The offender pays for all treatment and counseling.

OPTIMAL USE: All sex offenders complete a Psychosexual Assessment prior to sentencing. This evaluation assists the Courts of Porter County in determining the length of incarceration that is appropriate and if an offender is a candidate for treatment at sentencing.

If the Psychosexual Assessment indicates a Probationer is appropriate for treatment, the Probationer, upon release from incarceration, is ordered to participate in Project PRO as a condition of Probation. Ideally, a minimum of 3 years in this program is recommended.

1. Probation conducts high risk supervision (weekly contact).
2. Polygraph testing at least every 4 months by a sex offender specific Poligrapher who is trained in sex offender specific polygraph testing.
3. Project PRO Therapists, trained specifically for this type of offense, provide treatment through weekly group and individual sessions.

TARGETED OFFENDER POPULATION: All sex offenders who are known to the Porter County Court System. Felony and Misdemeanants. Transfers from other jurisdictions, etc. The majority of Probationers in this program are pedophiles but the program is for all sex offenders.