NCJ Number
169011
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 59 Issue: 4 Dated: (July 1997) Pages: 104-107
Date Published
1997
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The Cook County (Ill.) Adult Probation Department based in Chicago has established a community-oriented approach to probation supervision through the use of three decentralized probation centers known collectively as Project Safeway.
Abstract
The department's philosophy is similar to that of community policing. Thus, it emphasizes the creation of a partnership between probation, nonprofit service providers, and community organizations to strengthen probation's links with the community, provide a full-service model of probation, protect the community, hold offenders accountable, and help probationers reintegrate into the community as productive and law-abiding citizens. Project Safeway's community based reporting sites are located in diverse, high-crime areas throughout Chicago. Project Safeway has conducted a job fair to introduce clients to employment contacts. Project staff also organize GED classes and teach offenders the basics of job hunting and interviewing. The project also offers talks and materials on preventive health practices and classes on single parenting, family responsibility, anger control, and other topics. The neighborhood location makes it easier for probation officers to refer probationers to nearby treatment providers and other programs. The decentralized probation reporting centers can also emphasize the importance of offenders' giving back to the community through community services, as part of rehabilitation. Finally, being located in the community promotes the view that probation staff are true public servants. Photograph and 9 references