Traditional Probation & Intensive Supervision ... - Ottawa County

Attachment VParticipant Interview ResultsQuestion:What was the most helpful aspect of probation? Why?Responses – Traditional ProbationersCompletedProbationDid NotCompleteProbationTotalAccountability 32.4% (12) 20.0% (1) 32.5% (13)Relationships 24.3% (9) 40.0% (2) 27.5% (11)Treatment 13.5% (5) 0.0% (0) 12.5% (5)Nothing 10.8% (4) 40.0% (2) 15.0% (6)Other 13.5% (5) 0.0% (0) 12.5% (5)Total 100.0% (35) 100.0% (5) 100.0% (40)Completed ProbationAnswer: Accountability• Drug Testing – there was no room for chances and I was held accountable for my drug use• The hassle of getting places because I didn’t have a license and forcing me to attend counseling• Having to report to my probation officer and have someone tell me what to do made me straighten up. Beingon probation was not fun and I will never put myself into a position to repeat that experience• If you do the crime you will have to do the time• The rules of probation were held over me and that was very helpful• I played by the court’s rules and straightened up my life.• Knowing I was forced to not screw up and the deterrence of jail. Probation was a good pain in the butt• Visiting with my probation officer every month helped keep me accountable and focused on my goals• The drug testing and knowing I had to report to my probation officer so I couldn’t mess up• The drug information class that I attended 2 times a week for a month; there were other people to talk with whohave also messed up• The victim impact panel was very helpful for me• Getting off alcohol allowed me to know I could go without it and I learned not to drive anymore after havingeven one beer because I know it’s not worth it• The fines – it costs way too much when you mess up• The reality check that I got was helpful, it was an eye opener. I was sober for so long while on probation that Iknew I could do it on my own [stay sober]Answer: Relationships• My probation officer was very helpful and easy to talk with, was understanding, and gave me good advice• My probation officer was really concerned with helping me and not just focused on being in control• My probation officer was nice to me and treated me like a person• My probation officer was nice, helpful, understanding, and wanted to help me improve my life• The Judge was flexible and gave me an alternative [sentence] to jail time which I appreciated• Being treated fairly by the Judge, probation officer, and the group counselorAnswer: Treatment• The AA meetings kept me away from alcohol (2)• I have been on probation in the past, but the group counseling I received this time held me to a higher standard• The counseling really got to the bottom of my problem• Going to AA and hearing stories of others and realizing that I’m not so different from them was helpfulAnswer: Nothing• It’s just a deterrent because it isn’t something you would want to repeat (2)• It was all a pain in the butt