The Tuolumne County Probation Department has selected GEO Reentry, the nation’s largest provider of treatment, training and supervision programs for community corrections, to open and operate a day reporting program for adult probationers. GEO will provide treatment and case management services at the Tuolumne County Day Reporting Center for offenders who pose a risk of failing probation. The center will open in early 2012 and will be located at 1194 Highway 49.
The county is opening this program to help manage additional probationers the county will supervise under California’s prisoner realignment legislation, which shifted responsibility for lower level probationers to counties. As part of AB 109 legislation, the state provides funding for evidence-based programs counties implement, which refers to programs backed by scientific research to reduce recidivism.
Probationers diverted to the day reporting program will go through a multi-phase program including:
- An assessment and planning phase that includes reviewing criminogenic risk and needs and developing a behavior change plan for each participant.
- A treatment phase that includes one-on-one cognitive behavioral therapy, substance abuse counseling, employment services, and referrals to service providers for issues such as domestic violence, anger management, and parenting skills.
- An aftercare component that includes relapse prevention elements, periodic check-ins with the case manager, and a long-term plan for successful community life.
Offenders will go to this program for six to eight months, plus aftercare. Failure to comply with rules and guidelines of the program will result in increased sanctions such as tighter curfews, additional classes, more frequent reporting, house arrest electronic monitoring or re-incarceration.
Within California, GEO operates day reporting programs for offenders in Fresno, Madera, Kern, Lake, Monterey, Napa and Merced counties as well as centers for higher risk parolees for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in Compton, Stockton and San Diego.