Traditional Probation & Intensive Supervision ... - Ottawa County

Attachment VParticipant Interview ResultsQuestion:Hypothetically, if you were convicted of another offense, would you prefer a more intense programthat includes treatment, accountability, and positive reinforcement from judges and probation officersor would you prefer the traditional method of probation? Why?Responses – Traditional ProbationersCompletedProbationDid NotCompleteProbationTotalTraditional 68.5% (50) 37.5% (3) 65.4% (53)More Intense 15.1% (11) 25.0% (2) 16.0% (13)Depends 16.4% (12) 0.0% (0) 14.8% (12)Neither 0.0% (0) 37.5% (3) 3.7% (3)Total 100.0% (73) 100.0% (8) 100.0% (81)Completed ProbationAnswer: Traditional• It worked for me, it served it’s purpose and was quite effective (27)• I wouldn’t want it more intense. Jail and traditional probation were an awful experience and I will never doanything to get myself in that situation again• I hated getting up early to meet with my probation officer; if a sentence is too much work, people won’t want todo it• The intense program would be way too expensive. The whole court system just wants your money.• I no longer drink• They took my license away and it was hard enough to get rides, it was a huge inconvenience; getting rides to amore intense program would be impossible. I had ISP before and it didn’t help me because the threats of jail if Imessed up and missed curfew just made me angry.• It is respectful and they get their point across• It is easier than a more intense program• I’m not sure how they could make a program more intense• I’m not a bad person and I wouldn’t do anything to intentionally hurt someone again• ISP is too depressing because of all the restrictions.• I wouldn’t want anything worse than the traditional method. It was difficult, time-consuming, and expensivethe way it was and it was enough for me to get it.• Simple, good structure, and I knew what was required of me• The more intense program could make it hard to work and get out of debt; that could make me more depressedand more likely to drink more.• The more intense program would take up more time. The traditional sentence is enough of a punishment.• It worked because I no longer drink and drive• It’s enough of a pain in the butt the way it is now. The probation officers, judges, and court officers are notreally concerned about people’s well being, it’s just a money maker for the county.• I think people need tough love and the positive reinforcement of the more intense program would make it toosoft for people• It’s less of a pain in the butt than the more intense programAnswer: More Intense• If convicted more than once, the punishment should get stricter each time (3)• I think it would help more people stay out of trouble (2)• The more intense program is probably better for anybody; we need the roads to be safer and the more intenseprogram could help everyone• Everyone should go through the intense program if they keep messing up, but once you are in the situation, youwould want a lesser punishment• I was stupid enough to screw up once and a more intense program may stop me from doing it again