⇔ Adult Investigations ⇔ Field Supervision ⇔ Addicted Offender Program ⇔ Domestic Violence ⇔ Behavioral Health Court (BHC) ⇔
⇔ Sex Offender Caseload ⇔ Community Service/ Work Program ⇔ Adult Data Dashboard ⇔ External Links ⇔
The Adult Division authors pre-sentence investigations and provides valuable information during court sessions for the Superior Court. In addition, the Adult Division supervises convicted felons granted probation, placed on Post Release Community Supervision after being released from state prison, and those offenders sentenced to mandatory supervision. There are several specialized caseloads and programs that the staff assigned to the Adult Division oversee or participate in; some of these programs are described below.
Adult Investigations
The Investigations Unit is comprised of officers who serve as court officers during court sessions for the Superior Court. In addition, these officers author pre-sentence investigation and post-sentence reports. These officers gather information and report to the court risk assessment information, family and criminal history, restitution information and provide a recommendation for sentencing to either local or state prison or for grants of formal probation or mandatory supervision. Recommended conditions provided to the Court include restitution and appropriate treatment services based on an assessment to reduce recidivism.
Field Supervision
Supervision officers increase community safety and offender rehabilitation by supervising offenders and monitoring compliance with court orders. The Probation Department is committed to the use of evidence-based practices to assist offenders in making positive changes in their lives. The department has been working to ensure that the offenders under our supervision have appropriate supervision as well the necessary treatment and services to meet their rehabilitative needs. Services are available for referral, based upon an offender’s individual assessment and need, for all offenders under the supervision of the Probation Department. These services include: referrals for mental health services, housing, employment, general assistance services, work program (to assist with payment for fines), and the Day Reporting Center (DRC). The department also contracts with local providers for additional treatment/services that include the following Cognitive Behavioral Treatment programs: Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT), Courage to Change (interactive journaling), Thinking 4 a Change (T4C); as well as other treatment programs that include: Men’s Mental Health and Wellness, Women’s Empowerment program, Nurturing Fathers (parenting program), Positive Parenting Program (PPP), residential substance abuse treatment, outpatient substance abuse treatment and vocational programs (partnership with Shasta College).
The supervision officers monitor offender compliance with conditions of supervision by conducting home searches, testing for the use of drugs and alcohol, monitoring restitution payments, and holding offenders accountable when violations or new offenses are committed. Supervision Unit Officers also work in conjunction with officers assigned to Shasta Interagency Narcotics Task Force (SINTF), the Compliance Team, Shasta Anti-Gang Enforcement (SAGE) task force, and various other law enforcement agencies.
Addicted Offender Program
In January 1995 the Shasta County Court began the Addicted Offender Program, also known as AOP. AOP is designed for repeat offenders who are substance abusers. It is for the individual who has not been able to overcome their addiction utilizing other community resources. It is for non-violent offenders, who have entered a plea to a felony and are on or about to be placed on formal supervision. The purpose of AOP, which utilizes a team approach, is to assist offenders who sincerely want to break the cycle of addiction and become responsible, productive members of our community.
The Probation Department, through its Drug Court Coordinator, evaluates and assesses the appropriateness of individuals applying to the program. The Drug Court Advisory Committee, consisting of the judge overseeing the program and a team of professionals, assess the suitability of the applicant for participation in the program. Once accepted into the program, the Coordinator provides the necessary intensive supervision and case management of these individuals, reporting to the Court and the Advisory Committee on the progress and status of each participant on a weekly, semi-monthly and monthly basis.
The Coordinator works closely with the Treatment Team assigned to the program by Shasta County Alcohol and Drug. Through their efforts and the efforts of the Drug Court Advisory Committee, the participant is provided with the necessary resources, skills, and knowledge to lead a productive life without drugs. The program is, on average, eighteen months to two years in length.
Domestic Violence
Persons convicted of felony domestic violence who are granted probation by the Court as well as those offenders who are sentenced to State Prison for domestic violence and are now released on Post Release Community Supervision are supervised by the Probation Department. These offenders attend counseling as directed, including completing a one-year batterer treatment program. They are monitored for compliance with Court orders and terms of supervision, and many are required to stay-away from the victim and/or to pay restitution to the victim.
The Probation Officer assigned to these cases interviews each defendant, provides information on where approved batterer's programs are located and works with the program providers to insure each offender is attending each weekly session as required. Officers also work with each offender to assist the offender in making the change necessary to become law-abiding citizens. The officer assists domestic violence victims with referrals to counseling, services, and facilitates reunification when applicable.
Behavioral Health Court (BHC)
The Shasta County Behavioral Health Court (BHC), one of the Shasta County Collaborative Court Programs, is part of the problem solving court movement. It is seen as a promising approach in bringing stability, sobriety, and safety to offenders with behavioral illnesses while helping to ensure the security and well-being of the entire community. BHC is an intensive program designed to evaluate, monitor and provide offenders access to comprehensive and coordinated behavioral health services, integrated treatment for behavioral health and substance use disorders, and ancillary services. The goal of the court is to increase public safety, while reducing recidivism, the abuse of alcohol and illegal drugs, and the burden on law enforcement and other county resources. This court is a collaborative effort with representatives from the Shasta County Superior Court, the Shasta County Offices of the District Attorney and Public Defender, the Shasta County Probation Department, the Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency/Adult Services Mental Health (HHSA/ASMH), the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office and other local law enforcement agencies, local advocacy and support agencies, and private providers of behavioral health, substance abuse and ancillary services. The core BHC Team consists of representatives from the Shasta County Superior Court, District Attorney, Public Defender, Probation, and HHSA/ASMH. BHC is a voluntary program, which lasts a minimum of one year and is designed for offenders who have a persistent serious mental health illness (SMI) and who may also have a co-occurring substance abuse disorder. Offenders will progress through the multiple phases of the program attending court and treatment programs on a regular basis as determined by the offender’s treatment plan and the BHC team.
Sex Offender Caseload
All sex offenders placed under supervision are assessed using the State Authorized Risk Assessment Tool for Sex Offenders the SARATSO (Sexual Offense Recidivism Risk Assessment). A collaborative approach to sex offender management, known as the Containment Model, is used in Shasta County. This model requires communication and collaboration among the supervising probation officer, treatment provider, and the polygraph examiner. The officer meets regularly with offenders as well as treatment providers. Communication with various other local agencies also occurs on a regular basis.
Community Service/Work Program
The Probation Department, in conjunction with Shasta County Superior Court, offers community service as an alternative to payment of some fines. Offenders receive monetary credit toward fines for each full 8-hour day worked through the Adult Work Program. Community service hours are also ordered by sentence of the Court or as a sanction by Probation staff.
Adult Data Dashboard
Learn more from our data here.