CSCD Programs and Services

Contents

• Pre-sentence Investigation Reports
• Spanish Language Services
• Alcohol and Drug Screenings
• Drug Offender Education Program
• Electronic Monitoring
• Alcohol Education Classes (DWI Classes)
• Curfews
• Victim Impact Panels
• Intensive Probation
• Community Service Restitution
• Contract Services
• Other Services to the Community

Pre-sentence Investigation Reports

The pre-sentence investigation report is the basic working document in judicial and correctional administration. This document, which is used as an aid to the judge in sentencing, contains information on the offense committed, an assessment of the offender's background, and sentencing recommendations.

In addition to its role in the sentencing process, the pre-sentence report aids in supervision efforts; assists the Institutional Division and State Jail Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in classification, institutional programming and release planning; furnishes the Pardons and Parole Division with information pertinent to parole consideration; and, serves as a source of information for research.

Spanish Language Services

Defendants who speak only Spanish are supervised by bilingual officers. Most of these defendants are required to attend English as a Second Language (ESL) classes as a special condition of community supervision.

Alcohol and Drug Screenings

The department collects urine specimens and administers an intoxilyzer on site to monitor substance abuse in defendants and to enforce sobriety of offenders who have a history of abusing alcohol or other drugs.

In addition, the results of tests performed each year provide an indication of the pattern of abuse in the community and assist the department in developing programs specific to the needs of these offenders.

Drug Offender Education Program

Topics for the 15-hour program include dynamics of drug use, personal consequences of drug use, drug use and the quality of life, and skills for lifestyle changes. Exit interviews are conducted on clients failing the post-test or who score in the evident problem range on the substance abuse questionnaire, with recommendations being made to appropriate services. To register, contact your supervision officer. There is often a waiting list of several months for classes, so everyone is encouraged to register as early as possible.

Electronic Monitoring

An offender is fitted with a monitoring device that assist the supervision officer in determining whether the offender remains within certain assigned boundaries.

Alcohol Education Classes (DWI Classes)

Alcohol education classes, or DWI classes, are offered to first and repeat offenders convicted of the offense of driving while intoxicated.

Curfews

Offenders are monitored to determine whether they are home during specified times as ordered by the court.

Victim Impact Panels

Victim impact panels are offered by the local chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. They are generally held every other month on the first Thursday of the month. Specific dates are available from your supervision officer, and you must attend on the date your officer refers you to. You must arrive at the panel no later than 6:45, and you will be required to clear a metal detector before being allowed in the Courthouse. The panels are held in the 85th District Courtroom on the 2nd floor of the Brazos County Courthouse, 300 East 26th Street, Bryan.

The panels begin at 7:00 PM (but remember to get there at 6:45), and you may not leave early. You must pay $10.00 at the door, and you may be screened for alcohol use at the door. Drinking and/or drug use prior to or during the panel is not permitted. No young children are allowed, but you may bring an adult guest, and the guest will not have to pay for the panel. You are not expected to do anything during the panel discussion, other than listen and complete an evaluation at the end of the evening. The panels last approximately one and one-half hours.

Substance Abuse Felony Punishment Facilities (SAFPF's)

Further information for families, criminal justice practitioners, and persons going to SAFPF's, as well as a list SAFPF locations, can be found at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice website.

Intensive Probation

(Intensive Supervision and Specialized Caseloads)

High risk and high need offenders are assigned to Intensive Probation, which includes Intensive Supervision and Specialized Caseloads, that provide services specific to the offenders' needs while maintaining a high degree of surveillance for the protection of the community.

Community Service Restitution

Community service restitution is assigned through the Brazos CORPS Program, or the Court Ordered Restitution and Public Service program. This program began in Brazos County as an experiment by the two district judges who were in office in 1979. At that time, selected offenders placed on felony probation were required to perform a given number of hours of volunteer service for non-profit organizations or tax-supported agencies. Ongoing support by the judges and work by various departmental personnel has created a formal community service program from this initial experiment.

Offenders who are required to perform community service as a condition of supervision are directed by the courts to perform 24 to 1000 hours, depending on the offense committed. Every effort is made by the Courts and the officer to refer offenders to sites where their skills can be utilized or new skills can be learned. Further, offenders are screened before they are referred for community service, in an attempt to avoid inappropriate referrals.

Probationers are responsible for performing community service as ordered. If the requirement is not fulfilled, the privilege of community supervision may be taken away and a jail or prison term imposed. The supervision officer makes referrals for community service from a list approved by the judges, so the supervising officer should be contacted with any questions. Probationers may not select their own community service sites, and if they do so, the hours will not count toward required hours.

The offender's responsibilities are as follows:

• Contact the agency and arrange a work schedule with the agency;
• Notify the agency's contact person if unable to work as scheduled;
• Ensure that a record of hours worked is being maintained by the agency;
• Exhibit behavior appropriate to the community service assignment;
• Follow rules and directions given by the agency's contact person or other authorized person;
• Follow all conditions of supervision set forth by the court; and,
• Notify the supervision officer if a problem arises with the referral or in performing community service.
• General guidelines for community service:
• Offenders may not receive monetary benefits or advertising publicity through the community service assignments;
• Money and other items may not be donated in exchange for hours;
• Offenders will not provide transportation to people as part of their community service assignment, unless accompanied by the agency's contact person or other designated person. Liability insurance is the responsibility of the agency; and,
• Offenders may continue with their community service beyond the term of the conditions of supervision, if they and the agency so choose. In this instance, the offender becomes a regular volunteer for that agency.

Offenders may not perform community service for their employer. In addition, the assignment may not be one in which the offender would be involved if the offender were not doing community service work. An example is a fraternity member who wants to complete hours through a fraternity-sponsored event or project, or individuals wanting to complete hours for their churches. Hours must be worked monthly or weekly, at least as often as ordered by the court. Offenders may work ahead on their hours, but may not fall behind on the required hours.

Performance of community service is a rewarding experience, and one that is a tremendous benefit to the community. Offenders have provided numerous hours of work for non-profit and tax-supported agencies through their community service requirements. Houses have been repaired for the elderly and disabled, food has been distributed through the Food Bank, animals cared for at the Brazos Animal Shelter, children supervised at the Boys' and Girls' Clubs and Lincoln Center, and Special Olympians cheered on through the efforts of our community service workers.

Contract Services

In an effort to provide a continuum of services to defendants, the department contracts with area agencies and individuals. Frequent referrals are made to counselors, physicians, agencies and organizations for educational, vocational, residential, medical, mental health, substance abuse, financial, and legal aid services. Offenders who have not been referred to services and believe they need help should contact their officer immediately at (979) 361-4410. As funds allow, the department may pay for services for indigent offenders and may pay a portion of services for others in need. In order for the officer to determine whether the department may pay for services, the Income Assessment Form must be completed. If the department provides services at no or reduced cost and assessments, group meetings, or sessions are missed, the department will no longer fund any of the services.

Other Services to the Community

Speakers

The department has available individuals who will speak to the local community about community supervision services. To request a speaker, call the department at (979) 361-4410 and ask to speak to the Deputy Director.

Bryan ISD HOSTS Program

Departmental members participate in the Bryan Independent School District's Help One Student to Succeed Program. The staff members take time weekly to tutor students in language arts, vocabulary, and reading. This relationship helps these students develop not only academic skills, but also improves their self-esteem. Through this means, departmental staff members may positively impact a generation of children growing up in the shadow of their parents' problems. Staff members hope that this positive interaction will aid these children in growing up to be productive, law-abiding members of society.

Other Services to the Community

On their own time, employees of the department performed volunteer services for a number of community agencies and organizations. The department's staff volunteered with the George Bush Library and Museum, Brazos Valley Council on Alcohol and Substance Abuse, Bryan Federal Prison Camp, Bryan-College Station Chapter of the Texas Association of Alcohol and Drug Counselors, Brazos Valley Coalition for Life, Boy Scouts of America, Bryan ISD's Minority Recruitment Committee, Bryan ISD's Parent Advisory Council, Brazos County Employee Assistance Program, Brazos County Master Gardner Association, Cheer Fund, College Station Citizen's Police Academy, Brazos Valley Alzheimer's Support Group, Business and Professional Women's Federation, Habitat for Humanity, New Horizon Scholarship Program, Home and Foreign Mission, Make a Difference Day, MASH Toy Drive, Project Unity, Regional Training Officer - Region 2, Resource Training Officer, Washington County Rural Alumni Association, Young Women's Christian Council, St. Joseph Hospital, Challenger Little League, Sierra Club, and a number of area churches and school districts.