Putnam Community Corrections gets $145,118 from state

Thursday, May 25, 2006

The Indiana Department of Correction announces Putnam County Community Corrections agency has been awarded $145,118.20 for the fiscal year 2006-07.

Putnam County Community Corrections met the evidence-based practice standards set by the Indiana Department of Correction and will serve the target population as required for funding from the State of Indiana.

"This is the first time we have kept score with Community Corrections agencies and I am pleased that the majority of counties have provided leadership, direction and a steady influence in moving toward evidence-based practices and a commitment to serve the target population," said Commissioner J. David Donahue. "More counties are using their community correction programs to transition offenders from prison. This model promotes successful re-entry and public safety."

Putnam County Community Corrections Executive Director Jamie France said, "I am thrilled with the Department of Correction's decision to award grant funding based on our agency's performance rather than by our county's population. Our agency's staff is dedicated to serving the community through practices which are proven to reduce the rate of re-offending and promote public safety. This funding announcement demonstrates not only our past efforts but the State's confidence in our future endeavors and will give us the ability to pursue additional programs and services.

"This year alone, Putnam County Community Corrections has saved Putnam County residents more than $500,000 by providing alternatives to incarceration through our programs," France said. "Our past success, current popularity and future growth is largely due in part by the support our agency receives from the Putnam County Council, County Commissioners and their Advisory Board appointees. The local government agencies' willingness to provide quantified local support demonstrates the collaborative efforts and vision necessary to the future economic development of Putnam County."

Putnam County Community Corrections is currently investigating ways to save the taxpayers even more money by developing a community-based Work Release /Court Services Center. This center would bring more job opportunities to the residents of this community as well as provide a centralized point of contact for numerous, court-ordered, programs.

France concluded, "Com-munity-based work release programs are working in other counties throughout the State of Indiana, and I have no doubt that adding work release would be an investment to our community."

For the first time in history, with the support of the Government Efficiency and Financial Planning Division and the Department of Correction Financial Division, funding decisions are directly related to documentation as proposed by counties in the grant applications.

Information required for funding includes the number of felony offenders proposed to be served; the number of felony offenders actually served; the level of commitment in utilizing evidence-based practices, and demonstrating the effectiveness of the programs presently funded, and the specific county population level.

The department employs more than 8,000 employees and houses 24,000 adult and juveniles in 32 facilities, ranging from minimum to maximum custody, prison camps, juvenile detention facilities and work release centers. The department's home page on the Internet can be found at www.in.gov/indcorrection. The department's Re-entry Site can be found at www.reentry.in.gov.

Putnam County Corrections serves an estimated 1,000 clients per year through the Community Service Restitution, Community Work Crew, Home Detention, Community Transition Program and the G.R.A.S.P. Program components. Additionally, drug testing services, cognitive-behavioral change classes and Drug and Alcohol Education classes are offered.

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