Traditional Probation & Intensive Supervision ... - Ottawa County

Attachment VParticipant Interview ResultsQuestion:Is there any aspect of probation that was not helpful that you feel could be improved? What and why?Responses – Traditional ProbationersCompletedProbationDid NotCompleteProbationTotalCompleted ProbationYes 28.8% (21) 50.0% (4) 30.9% (25)No 71.2% (52) 50.0% (4) 69.1% (56)Total 100.0% (73) 100.0% (8) 100.0% (81)Answer: Yes• AA was not helpful; improvements include: getting classes that are necessary only – sending non-alcoholics toAA is not helpful – find out what the person really needs; some people don’t pay or go to classes now –everyone should have to do it• I told my probation officer that some of the AA classes that were offered in the court room were a bit mundane,but I only had to go to them a few times• The counseling style could be improved, it was outdated• Place people into counseling groups with people who have similar sentences• Less counseling because it’s unnecessary and expensive• Just my experience at OAR, they should place people into groups with people who they can relate to• I did not like being forced to do AA; it did not help me and I did not get anything out of it. They should useanother option in place of AA.• The court ordered classes were a waste of time. The inconvenience of the classes was helpful, but the contentwas not• Getting help [counseling] should be more of a voluntary thing; people shouldn’t be forced to get help if theydon’t want it• Maybe just test people more for alcohol and drugs• The probation officers need to meet and check up on the kids more to keep them out of trouble• Getting drug and alcohol testing in my situation was not helpful or necessary; it was humiliating in mysituation. The probation officers need to improve and show some concern about progress• I did not like having to take drug/alcohol tests while pregnant• Counseling was not helpful for me, but it may help others. Drug/alcohol testing needs to be more random• Do more of a random drug testing system; it would make more people apt to abstain• My appointment time to see my probation officer took way too long; my appointment would be at 8 and Iwould sit in the waiting room for 1 to 1.5 hours and miss work at that time. My probation officer was notconcerned about my time.• The waiting room and location could be nicer• I needed help appealing for my license and my probation officer didn’t know anything about this; I was told toask my lawyer• Everything was fine with probation. I had a very negative experience with the Judge and the Sheriff’sDepartment. The $500 fine that they gave me was ruthless because I didn’t deserve it and I was already havingmoney issues.• They need to figure out a different sentence that won’t affect a person’s record in the future. They need to helppeople rather than harming their future with a record.• More random breathalyzers at home rather than the once a month office visits would be more effective. Moreaffordable counseling to get people the help they need. The conditions at the jail were the most inhumane andunlivable conditions. Taking someone’s license away for a year cripples a person too much.Answer: No• Everything was helpful (4)• More probation officers should be like the one I had