Traditional Probation & Intensive Supervision ... - Ottawa County

Attachment VParticipant Interview Results• My probation officer was always willing to talk and listen to me and the court accommodated my medicalsituation and they didn’t have to do this• It is pretty strict as it is• The fines are harsh, but I think they have to do it.Did Not Complete ProbationAnswer: Yes• Help some people find a job instead of taking their lives away; some people had no way to get out• The types and number of counseling groups and drug/alcohol testing should be more individualized• I think they could have been more lenient with me because I was two weeks shy of completing my probationwhen I got an impaired driving and that was the only time I messed up, but they still revoked my probation andgave me a new sentence. It was my friend’s 21 st birthday and I drove after having 3 beers because I didn’t wantthe other guys driving.• More correspondence between the Judge and the probation officer. Currently it is left to the imagination of theJudge about violation circumstances; the Judge just reads what the probation officer wrote.Responses – ISP ProbationersCompletedProbationDid NotCompleteProbationTotalYes 25.0% (2) 42.9% (3) 33.3% (5)No 75.0% (6) 57.1% (4) 66.7% (10)Total 100.0% (8) 100.0% (7) 100.0% (15)Completed ProbationAnswer: Yes• I think a lot of people don’t get it and are going to just keep doing what they are doing• The AA meetings were just ridiculous. By forcing people who don’t have issues with alcohol to attend thesemeetings just takes away from the people at AA who really want to be there. They should make us (peoplewho made a mistake, but don’t have problems with alcohol) attend some alternative class about alcoholawareness.Answer: No• I think it was pretty effective as is, but it was a little long (counseling) and expensiveDid Not Complete ProbationAnswer: Yes• The treatment received by me and others was not helpful. They could improve by looking at each case andconsidering all the facts; they should pay attention before sentencing, incarcerating, etc.• AA was not helpful and there was a lack of flexibility. They could improve by being more flexible• I don’t think that my probation officer should have the right to come to my work and breathalyze me in front ofco-workers; that was very embarrassing for meAnswer: No• Everything was helpful; I can’t recall any area that needs improvement