Division of Criminal Justice Services

Welcome to eFocus, an electronic newsletter produced by the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services Office of Probation and Correctional Alternatives (OPCA).  OPCA publishes this newsletter to further its goal of promoting public safety through probation services and other community corrections programs. We welcome your suggestions. 
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eFocus, Issue Number 104, February 28, 2012
New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services 
Office of Probation and Correctional Alternatives
Robert M. Maccarone, Deputy Commissioner and Director
William M. Schaefer, Jr., Editor
http://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/opca

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In this Issue:
           
1.         Probation Supervision Rule Statewide Training to Commence
2.         Ignition Interlock Monitors’ Reports Available Via Caseload Explorer
3.         Probation and ATI Programs Deliver Job Readiness Training
4.         200% of Poverty Programs Spur Employment and Child Support Payments
5.         NYS Interstate Transfer Function Makes Significant Progress
6.         Additional Training, Awards, Events and News
7.         Professional Practice Tip
8.         Quick Facts

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1.         Probation Supervision Rule Statewide Training to Commence – The Office of Probation and Correctional Alternatives (OPCA) is pleased to announce a two-phase series of trainings on the proposed new Probation Supervision Rule for New York State Probation.  This training plan was developed in collaboration with the Probation  Statewide Training Committee which includes representation from the NYS Probation Officers’ Association (NYSPOA) and the Council of Probation Administrators (COPA). Phase One Training is designed for probation department directors, supervisors and trainers and will be delivered in-person regionally by OPCA staff in seven sites during March, April, and May of 2012.   Phase Two Training is designed specifically for line staff and will include four 2-hour Live Meetings during May and June.  Both phases of the training will address the history and context of the supervision rule; new and revised definitions; case assignment; initial interviews; assessment; case planning; supervision contact requirements; reassessment; inter/intra-state transfer; and case terminations and closings.  The training will also discuss new concepts such as Juvenile Contact Substitution Credits, the Stabilization Period, and Merit Credit. Regional in-person trainings will be offered as follows: Hudson Valley- March 6th; Albany/North- March 13th; Rochester/West- April 12th; Syracuse/Central- April 13th; Southern Tier- April 17th; Long Island- May 23rd; and, New York City-May 24th. Phase Two of the training Live-Meetings are scheduled for: May 31st, June 6th, June 12th, and June 22nd. Please register via email with Gail Roy at Gail.Roy@dcjs.ny.gov.  For program questions, please contact Patti Donohue at Patricia.Donohue@dcjs.ny.gov.

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2.         Ignition Interlock Monitors’ Reports Available Via Caseload Explorer – Counties with the automated Probation Case Management System, Caseload Explorer will benefit from new functionality that enables probation departments to enter ignition interlock information and produce the quarterly reports required to support funding claims and to meet Ignition Interlock Grant requirements for funding provided to localities through the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC). This functionality will be rolled out with the next version of Caseload Explorer expected in late spring.  We appreciate our partnership with AutoMon, Inc. in advancing the technological goals of probation departments.  Please contact Patricia Hogan at Patricia.Hogan@dcjs.ny.gov if you have any questions.

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3.         Probation and ATI Programs Deliver Job Readiness Training – Data is in for the Ready Set, Work! groups for 2011; 410 probationers and participants in ATI programs completed the 24-hour, ten module job readiness curriculum during the year.  A total of 42 groups were conducted including specialized groups with sex offenders.  “RSW!”  groups are run by probation and ATI personnel who have completed the 180-hour Offender Workforce Development Specialist (OWDS) training, and prepare individuals to take advantage of ONE Stop and other local employment resources. OWD Specialists   are completing tracking sheets for “RSW!” groups so we can study expected reductions in recidivism.  For information on supporting job readiness, placement and retention with individuals under criminal justice supervision, please contact Cynthia Blair at Cynthia.Blair@dcjs.ny.gov or (518) 485-5145.
           
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4.         200% of Poverty Programs Spur Employment and Child Support Payments – The 200% of Poverty programs that focus on employment and supporting families have again posted significant accomplishments. The 2011 report details nearly 400 jobs obtained during 2011 and significant 90/180 day job retention.  Nearly 37 percent of the jobs obtained paid $10 or more per hour. 1,100 custodial and non-custodial parents of 1,937 minor children were enrolled in continuing and new contracts during the year, and 277 parents began paying child support. For additional information, please contact Bernard Wilson at Bernard.Wilson@dcjs.ny.gov or (518) 485-5137.

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5.         NYS Interstate Transfer Function Makes Significant Progress – The NYS interstate transfer function was audited by the National Compact Office in February 2011, and again in February 2012. The results are very encouraging and reflect the hard work of the Interstate Staff, county probation interstate designees and probation officers.  Probation department directors and supervisors are also recognized.  The introduction of OPCA’s monthly Compstat Live Meetings to address our areas of identified need have assisted us in focusing on problem areas.  OPCA will continue to provide monthly updates to local jurisdictions utilizing the Live Meeting format as a pre-audit training tool and local aide.  Live Meetings are currently scheduled for Thursday, March 15, 2012, Thursday, April 19, 2012 and Thursday, May 17, 2012 from 10:00am-11:30am. It is important that representatives from every local department participate in each meeting to discuss current challenges and rules, assist in the development of statewide strategies, and review jurisdictional progress in addressing critical measures that will impact the success of our upcoming national audit.  For additional information, please contact Matthew Charton, Deputy Compact Administrator at Matthew.Charton@dcjs.ny.gov or (518) 485-2402.

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6.         Additional Training, Awards, Events and News

~          OPCA has distributed a new Ignition Interlock Complaint Program Form for use by IID monitors to report any issues or problems related to ignition interlocks.  This will allow OPCA to respond to any issues identified by monitors related to IID manufacturers, specific devices, or installers. This new document is posted in the Probation Services Suite of eJusticeNY under the Ignition Interlock tab, Forms sub-tab. When monitors are using this form, please include as much detail as possible.  Completed forms should be submitted by email to Patricia Hogan at Patricia.Hogan@dcjs.ny.gov. Should you have any questions about the form please feel free to contact Patricia at (518) 485-8855.

~          The New York State Sheriffs' Association Institute, Inc. will hold their Sixth Annual New York Statewide Conference on VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) at the Holiday Inn on Wolf Road in Albany, NY on Friday, April 27, 2012. This program will feature presentations by the NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, and Office of Victim Services. Registration begins at 8:00 AM.  The conference will commence at 9:00 AM and conclude at 4:00 PM. For more information on the program, registration and hotel accommodations, please contact Irene Colwill at (518) 434-9091 or icolwill@nysheriffs.org.
        
~          The New York Tactical Officers Association is hosting the Tactical Conference ’12 from May 1-3, 2012 at Turning Stone Resort in Verona, NY. Registration fee is $199.99 for members and $249.99 for non-members.  For additional details, please visit: http://www.nytacticalexpo.com/

~          The NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) is pleased to announce the availability of an Informational Session on the 1033 Federal Excess Property Program. This informational seminar will be offered on Thursday April 19, 2012 from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm at Schenectady County Community College, Stockade Building 101, Schenectady, New York.  The National Defense Authorization Act authorizes the Secretary of Defense to transfer excess Department of Defense (DOD) property to state and local law enforcement agencies whose primary function is the enforcement of applicable State and local laws. Each session will include: an overview of the 1033 Program, navigation of the DOD LESO website, details of various types of equipment, training on the utilization of the DOD application for searching & screening of property, setting up “Want Lists” for specific property, Demilitarization Codes and WebFLIS information, and information on weapons and aircraft.  There is no course fee.  All registrants must receive confirmation on attendance to ensure a seat.  Please complete the course application and indicate which training date you choose to attend and have it sent no later than two weeks prior to the start of the course. For your convenience it may be submitted via email by utilizing the “Submit by Email” radio button on the Course Application form.  The application may be downloaded by clicking "here."  If you are not currently connected to the internet, go online to any of the above listed dates on the DCJS training calendar http://calendar.dcjs.state.ny.us/, and click on the link there.   For individuals that do not have email capability, the registrations may be faxed to (518) 457-0145.

~          The Nassau County Probation Department in partnership with the Nassau County Police Department recently launched a new joint initiative called Enhanced Community Watch (ECW).  This innovative targeted enforcement program is data driven and was developed to respond quickly and effectively to probationers who test positive for the use of cocaine, opiates and synthetic opiates, the latter with or without a prescription.  The ECW effort was recently highlighted by local media for resulting in the arrest of three probationers: two for illegal possession of prescription drugs without prescriptions and one on a violation of probation warrant for using heroin.  To date, there have been four ECW operations resulting in a total of 66 unannounced home visits, 3 arrests, the recovery of a dagger, trace amounts of heroin and 150 blank prescription forms.  The operations have also netted approximately 20 probationer debriefings by law enforcement intelligence officers, leading to two ongoing fraudulent prescription investigations. For additional information, please contact the Nassau County Probation Department at (516) 571-4676).

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7.         Professional Practice Tip: Registration of Sex Offenders – Preparing and submitting the registration form for a sex offender is the responsibility of the sentencing court in cases where the offender is sentenced to a term of probation, conditional discharge, payment of a fine or any other non-incarceration sentence.  Circumstances occasionally arise when the registration process has not been completed.  Importantly, when probation becomes aware of an offender currently under probation supervision who has been convicted of a registerable sex offense, and who has not been registered, regardless of the sentencing date, officers should immediately notify the sentencing court via a memorandum and contact the Sex Offender Registry directly via the main number (518) 417-3384.  This number is staffed from 7:30am-5:00pm and voicemail equipped.  Please be prepared to provide the offender’s full name, NYSID number, name and penal law statute of registerable offense, and date of conviction.

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8.         Quick Facts: There have been 7,126 ignition interlock devices installed in New York State from the inception date of “Leandra’s Law” on August 15, 2010 through December 31, 2011.

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eFocus is the property of the Office of Probation and Correctional Alternatives.  Articles may be reprinted with attribution to the Office.  For more information on any of the topics mentioned above, to report any difficulties you may have experienced receiving this email, or, if you have information you would like posted in the next issue of OPCA's eFocus, please contact Bill Schaefer at (518) 485-5157 or Bill.Schaefer@dcjs.ny.gov.

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The eFocus is now distributed to thousands of community corrections professionals across New York State.  You may receive more than one copy if your name and email address appear on different criminal justice and community corrections mailing lists.  If so, please e-mail Bill Schaefer the name you would like removed from distribution.

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