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JUN ,, 21985 <br />AUTHORIZATION TO HIRE PROBATION OFFICER <br />BOOK rW.) 24 <br />The Board reviewed the following memo dated 6/7/85: <br />TO: The Honorable Members of DATE: June 7, 1985 FILE: <br />the Board of County <br />Commissioners <br />THRU: Michael Wr' g SUBJECT: County Probation Officer <br />County Adminis or Program <br />H. T. "Sonn De n <br />FROM: General Director <br />Services ivisi6 ff- CES: <br />On Monday, June 3, 1985, Judge L. B. Vocelle called a meeting with <br />members of the Criminal Justice System, Commissioner Lyons, and --Staff <br />to discuss the feasibility of a County Probation Officer. Judge <br />Woodrow Hatcher of Jackson County, Florida was guest speaker. Judge <br />Hatcher is a veteran of nine years on the Bench with some eight <br />additional years in the Criminal Justice System as a State <br />Parole/Probation Officer and Juvenile Officer.- He has set up a <br />County Probation Officer System in Jackson County and assisted five - <br />other Counties with starting a like program. Judge Hatcher outlined <br />such a program with the following benefits: <br />1. Conditional Release for Arrestees: A person arrested could be <br />released under this program (misdemeanant or felon). He must <br />comply with certain conditions or be re -arrested and returned <br />to jail without bond and very little chance of getting <br />probation if convicted of the crime charged because of the <br />failure to live up to the same condition on Conditional <br />Release. This would help judges in being concerned over low <br />bonds and Releases on Own Recognizance by giving them an <br />alternative. <br />2. Work Release Program: A County Probation Officer would <br />administer this program. Sentenced prisoners would be allowed <br />to work in a job during daytime, but required to spend nights <br />in the jail. <br />3. Two for One Program If a prisoner qualified, he could be <br />worked in County Projects (i.e. Road and Bridge, Parks, etc.) <br />with a reward of one day served for one day worked. <br />4. Community Services: A person could be sentenced by the Court <br />to perform hours of public service work during hours he is not <br />employed on his regular job in lieu of a fine or confinement. <br />The County Probation Officer would be responsible for <br />administering this program. <br />5. Payment of Fines: The Clerk of the Court cannot accept partial <br />payment of fines imposed by the Court. Mrs. Wright stated <br />there are thousands of dollars of uncollected fines in her <br />office. A County Probation Officer could be ordered to accept <br />partial payment and follow up on persons who are required to <br />pay. There is no one assigned to do this now. <br />60 <br />