The government eased access to drug addiction treatment during the pandemic. Now that could go away. When the Covid-19 pandemic forced much of the US to lock down in the spring of 2020, officials and experts worried the necessary social distancing measures would make another public health crisis — the opioid epidemic — worse. Addiction […]
The compromise also includes language to simplify the application for federal financial aid and grant more than $1 billion in loan forgiveness for HBCUs. Congressional leaders have struck a deal to reinstate Pell grants for incarcerated students more than a quarter century after banning the aid for prison education programs, top Democrats and Republicans announced […]
APPA’s 5th COVID Roundtable was recorded on Dec 15, 2020. It featured an array of researchers discussing the effects of the pandemic on agency staff and clients and identifying the lingering issues that agencies will face as we enter 2021. We’re diving deep with national and state survey data to provide a portrait of community […]
Death can attract a crowd. That’s been proven several times since the Trump administration relaunched federal executions over the summer. Crowds of people have gathered in or near the U.S. Penitentiary in Terre Haute to either witness the deaths, protest them or help carry them out. Since July, eight people have been put to death about […]
EVANSVILLE, Ind. — As the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic rolls across Indiana and the nation just in time for the holiday season, experts say it’s important to pay attention to mental health as well as the physical. “We are seeing a lot of people coming in for help,” said Janie Chappell, a nurse and Senior […]
The Indiana Supreme Court handed down an Order Suspending Jury Trials statewide until March 1, 2021, citing the need for drastic measures as COVID-19 continues to surge. In-person jury trials pose an exceptional risk to everyone involved—even if every precaution is taken. “We have hope that 2021 will bring improved conditions. But hoping is not enough. There […]
I’ve created a new page for paying group renewals: https://gopopai.org/group-membership-payments/ You can add a membership type, enter the names of your members of that type, then add it on to a cart-type page where you can change the numbers. Does your staff include both Officers and Associates? No problem: just add one then use the […]
Graphs about Adult Admission Trend: Old vs New Felony Levels, Facility Population: New Felony Levels, Distribution of New Felony Levels by Most Serious Offense, January 2018-YTD Admission and Release Totals, and Facility Capacity by Security Level are in the December 2020 Indiana Department of Correction HEA 1006: Supplemental Report Find the more detailed Indiana Department […]
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – Used needles, spoons with drug reside and a bag from a drug transaction were all scattered in the parking lot of a hotel located on the northwest side of Fort Wayne. Despite it’s small size, detectives told WANE 15’s Briana Brownlee that they receive the highest amount of drug abuse […]
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) — November is National Adoption Month, and while the Indiana Department of Child Services is reporting a drop in total yearly adoptions for the first time in at least 8 years, officials believe this is just a bump in the road for kids still in our foster system. The Indiana D.C.S […]
James Austin, Ph.D., JFA Institute; Sarah L. Desmarais, Ph.D., North Carolina State University; John Monahan, Ph.D., University of Virginia School of Law
Re: Response to PJI’s Position on the Abolition of Pretrial Risk Assessment Instruments Recently the Pretrial Justice Institute (PJI) re-issued its former statement that argues that all pretrial risk assessment instruments (PRAIs) be abolished. Their rationale is understandable but fails to account for the state of the scientific evidence on PRAIs. Abolishing PRAIs and allowing […]
POPAI’s Membership year runs from January to December. Anyone who did not already pay for 2021 may do so now by noting “paying for 2021” on the application. Otherwise I will assume the payment is for the year in which it is received. Department/Group Invoices are ready by request. Just email me: ContactUsatPOPAI@gmail.com. I’ll be […]
Efforts including isolation upon intake and limiting arrests are keeping COVID-19 from returning to the Porter County Jail and the Juvenile Detention Center even as the number of cases continues to rise in the community, officials for both facilities said. The jail reported its first cases of the virus in the spring after a cook […]
Indianapolis, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC) today announced it will make the opioid reversal agent naloxone available to each offender upon release from an IDOC facility. “Expanding the availability of naloxone to all offenders upon release from one of our correctional facilities is one way we can ensure these individuals a smooth […]
Even with at least three in-person jury trials under his belt since coronavirus-related suspensions were lifted in July, Lake Superior Civil Division Judge Bruce Parent still feels uncomfortable. The Indiana Supreme Court permitted the first in-person jury trial to take place during the COVID-19 pandemic in Parent’s Lake County courtroom last month. Indiana trial courts […]
Howard County Superior Court II Judge Brant Parry stood in his courtroom last week and looked around like he had lost something. “You want to see her?” he asked, still looking around the mostly empty room. A few moments later, a brown fluff of fur came bounding through an open back door, prompting instant smiles […]
A 34-year-old Riverside County probation officer died from complications from COVID-19 on Saturday, Nov. 14, the department said. Deputy Probation Officer Julio Beltran, a seven-year veteran of the department, is survived by his wife, a son and his parents, the department said. “We are devastated and heartbroken,” Riverside County Chief Probation Officer Ron Miller II […]
POPAI Members are welcome to attend this week’s Board Meeting via Zoom. Contact your District Representative or email Karen at ContactUsatPOPAI@gmail.com for the link. Meeting minutes are available on our minutes page.
The theme of this edition of Perspectives, “Transforming Probation”, is near and dear to my heart. From the time I began my career in the field of juvenile probation, I’ve always believed that I was an agent of change. Tim Hardy, APPA President
Over 140 current & former prosecutors, probation & parole chiefs agree: it’s time to transform Mass Supervision into a system that’s downsized, less punitive, & equitable. Read Columbia University Justice Lab’s Executives Transforming Probation and Parole statement: https://bit.ly/ExitStatement
(INDIANAPOLIS) – Gov. Eric J. Holcomb announced his three appointments to the Marion County Superior Courts for the upcoming retirements of Judges Barbara Crawford Cook, David Dreyer and Marilyn Moores. Marshelle Dawkins Broadwell currently serves as a magistrate judge in the Marion Superior Court, where she hears criminal, civil and family law matters. Before beginning […]
INDIANAPOLIS – For people struggling with homelessness, addiction, and poverty, finding meaningful work can be a huge barrier to getting their lives in order and back on a productive track, especially for those just released from prison. But Indianapolis-based Purposeful Design has made it a mission to help by giving them training, skills, and a […]
The Judicial Conference Board of Directors approved amendments to the Probation Standards effective January 1, 2021. The amendments add language related to Indiana’s Program Improvement Plan for child and family services. Contact Jenny Bauer with questions.
US Probation and Pretrial Services District of Minnesota
Kito Bess
To All Criminal Justice Students, Legal and Community Correction Practitioners: Are you looking to start or elevate your career with the U.S. District Court, U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Office? Interested in learning more about what we do; how we positively impact the lives of others; and what it takes to become a U.S. Probation […]
As an affiliate member of the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA), POPAI is excited to announce that we are sponsoring some of our members to attend APPA’s Virtual Training Institute for FREE!!! The total number of POPAI members we’ll sponsor depends on the number of entries we receive. APPA’s 2021 Winter Training Institute will […]
(INDIANAPOLIS) — The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s Division of Mental Health and Addiction today announced a series of pilot programs designed to increase access to mental health care for inmates in Indiana county jails. The pilot programs will focus on individuals found incompetent to stand trial who are awaiting placement in the state […]
As case numbers continue rising in Indiana and are causing more impact within court systems, the Supreme Court issued an order on November 10 with instructions for judges on safely operating their courts. IOCS has prepared a memo with guidance and procedures to help implement that order. Continue to check the COVID-19 website. Contact Jeff […]
The Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC) today announced it will make the opioid reversal agent naloxone available to each offender upon release from an IDOC facility. “Expanding the availability of naloxone to all offenders upon release from one of our correctional facilities is one way we can ensure these individuals a smooth transition back into […]
Across the country, a rapidly increasing number of states, counties and cities have undertaken ambitious efforts to improve the way decisions are made about who is released and who is detained before trial. Their sense of urgency is driven by the fact that our nation’s jails are filled with people charged with low-level offenses who […]
Americans were still waiting for clarity on the presidential race Wednesday morning. Perhaps lost in the frantic haze of election night was the legalization of recreational marijuana in four states. Arizona, New Jersey, South Dakota and Montana all passed legislation Tuesday permitting the possession of weed by adults, which means 15 states have legalized recreational […]
In states across the country, voters sent a clear message they wanted restrictions on recreational drug use eased. On Tuesday, residents of Arizona, Montana, New Jersey and South Dakota voted to join the ranks of 11 other states that have done so. In 2012, Colorado and Washington made the leap to legalize marijuana for recreational […]
From Executives Transforming Probation and Parole (EXiT): California’s Probation and Parole Reform Successes California Reform Webinar: California has passed legislation that addresses several of EXiT’s policy aims, including shortening supervision terms (both at sentencing and via earned time credits), and eliminating supervision fees. This public-facing webinar will highlight those legislative efforts, discuss why such reforms […]
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Department of Child Services said Thursday that contracted employees may have falsified drug-screening records. Drug screenings are used for many types of court cases involving DCS, including juvenile matters, Child in Need of Services (CHINS), and termination of parental rights. It’s not yet clear how many cases may be impacted or […]
Criminal Justice Network @intcjnetwork shared a podcast with Michael Nail, commissioner @GeorgiaDCS about the challenge of leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. This podcast is the fourth of a series about the challenge posed to leaders by the COVID-19 crisis. The people working in the criminal justice system at the frontline across the world are facing […]
The maker of OxyContin painkillers has reached an $8.3bn (£6.3bn) settlement and agreed to plead guilty to criminal charges to resolve a probe of its role in fuelling America’s opioid crisis. Purdue Pharma will admit to enabling the supply of drugs “without legitimate medical purpose”. The deal with US Department of Justice resolves some of […]
The Michigan Poison Center at the Wayne State University School of Medicine wants the public to be aware of recent reports involving “purple heroin” identified in Michigan. “Purple heroin” has been linked to several overdose cases in the Upper Peninsula and one overdose-related death in Van Buren County. Samples sent to the Michigan State Police […]
In 2014, Abt Associates began work on a grant from the National Institute of Justice to evaluate the effectiveness of home and field contacts in community supervision. The study was designed to describe the varying practices of home and other field contacts in community supervision, to document their use nationwide, and to evaluate their effectiveness […]
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) — A high number of overdoses in Fort Wayne are now being blamed on a counterfeit drug. Residents believe they’re taking oxycodone but it’s actually fentanyl. 15 Finds Out went looking into where the drugs came from. Police told WANE 15 that overdoses more than doubled in September compared to the […]
The 2021 Court Reform grants application period is now open. Applications are open to be submitted by judges from any courts in Indiana due no later than November 27, 2020. For 2021, courts are able to request grant funds from these categories: Improving Court Safety and Security Courts may request grant funds for projects related to […]
On Wednesday, October 14th, the POPAI Executive Board voted to appoint Anthony Williams as our new conference planner! Anthony is the Alcohol and Drug Services Director for the Marion County Superior Court Probation Department and is a current member of POPAI. Anthony has been a probation officer for over 17 years. He serves as the […]
About this study: The purpose of this study is to examine how community corrections agencies altered policies and procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are now recruiting community supervision officers to participate in interviews to learn about how working during the pandemic has impacted them. What does participation involve? You will be asked to participate […]
On Wednesday, October 14th, the POPAI Executive Board voted to appoint Karen Oeding as our new membership coordinator! Some of you have met or seen Karen at our annual Fall Conference and all of you have seen a product of her work. Karen is our current webmaster who works tirelessly to make sure our membership […]
In 2014, Abt Associates began work on a grant from the National Institute of Justice to evaluate the effectiveness of home and field contacts in community supervision. The study was designed to describe the varying practices of home and other field contacts in community supervision, to document their use nationwide, and to evaluate their effectiveness […]
For several days in a row, Sgt. Lance Dardeen’s squad car was the only transportation an Indianapolis man was comfortable riding in. The two went to the grocery store, doctor’s appointments and errands around Central Indiana, making small talk, side by side in the front. Dardeen said the man, who he said suffered from schizophrenia, […]
President Trump has signed into law a bipartisan bill to create a three-digit number for mental health emergencies. The Federal Communications Commission had already picked 988 as the number for this hotline and aims to have it up and running by July 2022. The new law paves the way to make that a reality. “We […]
We have spent a lot of time in this series discussing the myths and misconceptions commonly held about alcoholism and addiction. But we have not spent time talking about the myths – or lies – that the alcoholic and addict tell themselves. Curious, I asked numerous recovered alcoholics and addicts for insight, and their responses […]
You are cordially invited to attend the Executives Transforming Probation and Parole Virtual Membership Meeting Please save the date for the next EXiT Virtual Membership meeting, which will be held Tuesday, December 8, 2020 1:00pm-4:00pm, ET. It will be a half day filled with training and idea sharing. Learn more, including a full agenda in […]
The closure of school buildings in response to the coronavirus has been disruptive and inconvenient for many families, but for those living in homeless shelters or hotel rooms — including roughly 1.5 million school-aged children — the shuttering of classrooms and cafeterias has been disastrous. For Rachel, a 17-year-old sharing a hotel room in Cincinnati […]
Video by Mary Kay Hudson, Executive Director of Office of Court Services with guests Allen County Court Administrator John McGauley and Judge Frances Gull Some Indiana problem-solving courts have found innovative ways to adapt to COVID-19. Allen Superior Court Judge Fran Gull and Court Executive John McGauley discuss the importance of strategic planning and creativity […]
In addition to the ongoing challenges presented by the COVID-19 global pandemic, the nation’s opioid epidemic has grown into a much more complicated and deadly drug overdose epidemic. The AMA is greatly concerned by an increasing number of reports from national, state and local media suggesting increases in opioid- and other drug-related mortality—particularly from illicitly […]
The short guide from CISA offers quick tips and links to deeper resources for employees at every level. The mass teleworking required by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is creating new cybersecurity vulnerabilities and exacerbating old ones. In response, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency released a quick guide to help organizations address these issues at […]
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Commission for Higher Education says the state has received another $25 million in CARES Act funding to continue efforts to upskill more Hoosiers through expanded Next Level Jobs programs. The money is used to help provide training to people who lost their jobs during the pandemic. It can also be used […]
Rachel Barnard, a public artist-in-residence, works to provide a safe space for deep listening while inspiring hope through the creation of whimsical, unconventional art space called “Wisdom Pavilions” in a NYC Probation office. The goal of this project to positively shift the departments culture and transform relationships between NYC Department of Probation officers and their […]
Here’s the grim way the Vanderburgh County Health Department described a recent event. Few people wore masks. They didn’t socially distance. And as a result, several attendees tested positive for COVID-19, adding to the mountain of cases lording over the Evansville area. The VCHD referenced that event in a statement to Eyewitness News over the […]
On Wednesday, October 21, APPA and SCRAM Systems will host a webinar discussing advancements in #smartphone application technology as it relates to probation and parole. What new developments are we seeing? How can it improve your community supervision? Register for this free training at 3 p.m. EDT!
By Nancy Wever, Director | Indiana Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative
Almost overnight, Indiana’s youth justice systems went from business as usual to remote supervision, virtual interactions, and attending court hearings online. What may have been considered something that would never happen six months ago did happen and will likely permanently shape the operation of youth justice systems. Those who work in youth justice systems—in addition […]
With COVID-19 continuing to spread, and millions of Americans still out of work, one of the nation’s most urgent problems has only grown worse: hunger. In communities across the country, the lines at food pantries are stretching longer and longer, and there’s no clear end in sight. Before the pandemic, the number of families experiencing food […]
The Indiana Supreme Court has posted proposed changes to the Access to Court Records Rules and the Rules of Trial Procedure. The public is invited to submit comments on these proposals until noon (Eastern) on October 29, 2020. Access to Court Records Rule 5 The proposed amendments to Access to Court Records Rule 5 would […]
Indiana’s public pension funds for state and local government employees, including teachers, has apparently weathered the financial markets’ volatility during the coronavirus pandemic, new data from the state show. The General Assembly’s Pension Management Oversight Committee heard Wednesday that the Indiana Public Retirement System increased its pension assets by 2.56% to $30.6 billion during the […]
James T. Knight (“Knight”)—who is a licensed Indiana attorney and who pled guilty to Class A misdemeanor battery in exchange for the dismissal of two felony criminal confinement charges, a felony domestic battery charge, and a misdemeanor domestic battery charge—appeals the trial court’s order amending the conditions of his probation pursuant to INDIANA CODE § […]
Community Corrections has been on a journey to transform our practice of probation and parole. We interviewed parole officers as well as clients of Dodge/Fillmore/Olmstead (DFO) Community Corrections to get stories about their experiences. This short video (8 minutes) shows the impact Olmsted County is making.
Alexis Stogdill, a Probation Officer in the Monroe Circuit Court Probation Department was nominated for an award as an Outstanding Mental Health Provider by Mental Health America of Monroe County (BLOOMINGTON) – Mental Health America of Monroe County presents an online virtual event to recognize our Mental Health Champions and stand-out members of the community. […]
Paige Newland, Learning Consultant/Program Coordinator | Office of Court Services
An emergency like flood, fire, power outage, mold, active human threat—or, as we all now realize, a pandemic—can adversely impact the court system in ways we may not expect. Employee absence, loss of records, technology failure, or facility damage can greatly diminish the effectiveness of the court system and result in the delayed administration of […]
The Honorable Earl G. Penrod, Senior Judge | Indiana Judicial Outreach Liaison, IOCS Education Division
Scenario: A police officer sees a vehicle pass by, but doesn’t see the driver. The officer doesn’t observe any traffic or improper driving violations, but runs the license plate and learns the registered owner has a suspended operator’s license. The officer stops the vehicle and immediately notices a strong odor of alcohol and multiple signs […]
The Children’s Commission’s preliminary review of Indiana’s juvenile justice system is set to begin with a task force meeting on September 30. Read the Announcement to Counties and Stakeholders (PDF file)
After a 40-year accomplished legal career, General Counsel Brenda Rodeheffer is retiring from the Office of Judicial Administration on October 2. The Supreme Court and staff will thank Brenda for her service with a brief, remote ceremony. You are welcome to watch the live webcast at noon ET on September 22. Congratulations on a well-deserved […]
The Judicial Conference of Indiana has published a new strategic plan to drive improvements to the state’s justice system. The 20-page blueprint urges reform in 7 key areas: access to justice, security, technology, clerk functions, court structure, judicial selection, and centralized funding. Learn more about the Strategic Planning Committee.
Centerstone recently received a Comprehensive Opioid Recovery Center grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration worth $3.4 million over the next four years. Only one of two organizations nationwide to receive the federal grant, Centerstone plans to use the funds to establish the center, which will provide a full spectrum of treatment […]
The Rookie Probation Officer of the Year award was established in 2014 to recognize probation officers who, while at the beginning of their career, have shown the attitude, aptitude, and desire to improve themselves and to develop into leaders among their peers. Judge Lance Hamner describes this year’s winner as a bright, enthusiastic and hard […]
Virtual Convening: The New Juvenile Probation: Lessons from the Frontlines convening will examine cities and counties across the United States that have revolutionized their approach to juvenile probation. The event will be held on Tuesday, September 29, 2:00-3:30, ET, pm. It is sponsored by the Stoneleigh Foundation and the Columbia University Justice Lab. You can […]
During the POPAI Annual Meeting on September 16, 2020: Board Members were elected President-Adam McQueen Secretary-Cherie Wood District 2-Heather Malone District 4-Mike Small District 6-Lindsey Villalpando District 8-Mignon Ware POPAI Job Opening announced: Conference Coordinator. Details including essential duties and responsibilities in a PDF document. Send cover letter and resume to Adam McQueen, POPAI President […]
As U.S. law enforcement departments are accused of racist policing, one of the most common responses by the people in charge has been to have officers take “implicit bias” training. The training usually consists of a seminar in the psychological theory that unconscious stereotypes can lead people to make dangerous snap judgments. For instance, unconscious […]
POPAI will hold its annual business meeting via Zoom on Wednesday, September 16, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. EDT. All members are encouraged to log on to the meeting to learn about the status of the Association and vote on proposed bylaw changes posted here. We’ll also be conducting some random drawings to give away several […]
Join The Carey Group Wednesday, September 30, 2020, from 1:30 pm to 2:45 pm ET for a free webinar series on the use of cognitive tools to improve the success of those on supervision. These webinars will feature national colleagues who have reengineered their policies, practices, and organizational culture to incorporate the use of cognitive tools […]
The number of children in the U.S. foster care system has dropped for a second year in a row. That’s according to new federal data which also show that a record number of children in the child welfare system were able to find adoptive homes in 2019. The annual report from the Department of Health […]
The POPAI Board is seeking letters of intent and resumes from qualified individuals for two jobs at POPAI. The POPAI Conference and Recruitment Coordinator is responsible for planning, scheduling, coordinating, and implementing training, conferences, and educational opportunities for POPAI. Additionally, this position is responsible for recruiting new probation officer, associate, and corporate members. Download a […]
In September, the House will vote on removing cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act as well as erasing some marijuana criminal records, The Hill reports. The bill would not legalize cannabis. That choice would still be left up to states. Even though the vote will not legalize the drug, it will still be a historic […]
An Indiana judge killed in a small plane crash in southeastern Illinois was being remembered Sunday by fellow judges as a problem-solver who helped defendants start new lives. The plane crashed Saturday in southeastern Illinois, killed the pilot, Ryan Johanningsmeier, authorities said. He had been a judge in Indiana’s Knox County since 2015. “His tragic death leaves […]
AUBURN – Two men from Kosciusko County, who have battled their own drug addictions, are part of a first-for-northeast Indiana detox treatment center in Auburn. Mickey Ashpole, a Wawasee High School graduate, is the co-founder and executive director of Allendale Treatment. Tommy Streeter, a Warsaw Community High School graduate, is the community outreach coordinator with […]
Young adults and adolescents who are prescribed opioids for the first time may be at a slightly greater risk of developing a substance-related problem later in life, according to a new study co-authored by Indiana University researchers. However, the risk may not be as high as previously thought. The study was published Monday in JAMA Pediatrics and […]
In December 2019, Stephen Owens retired from the position of State Public Defender, after serving for eight years as leader of the office. His full career in the State Public Defender’s Office lasted for over 33 years. The State Public Defender’s Office is a judicial branch agency. The Public Defender is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of […]
Deficient data on the incidence of human trafficking offenses reflect pervasive issues with incident identification and reporting, a study combining stakeholder interviews and data analysis shows. Crime statistics on human trafficking are only as solid as the crime data informing them. Recent NIJ-supported research reveals that labor and sex trafficking data appearing in the FBI’s […]
TERRE HAUTE – The United Way of the Wabash Valley has received a three-year $1 million grant from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration. The nonprofit says the funding will be used to expand service delivery for substance use and opioid use disorders in rural areas of Sullivan, Parke and Vermillion counties. The United […]
This expansion will add access to trained peer support recovery professionals throughout the Hoosier state. (Indianapolis, Ind.) – Governor Eric J. Holcomb today announced a partnership between the Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction and Mental Health America of Indiana to expand access to trained peer support recovery professionals through the Indiana Recovery Network. […]
A rigorous evaluation of a well-grounded pilot program to boost the school performance and behavior of at-risk youth and improve safety in Palm Beach, Florida, schools revealed few positive or negative effects. NIJ sponsored the research. On paper, a “wraparound” approach to managing student delinquency while improving school safety makes perfect sense. The idea is […]
Albion Fellows Bacon In 1909, it would be another 11 years before women gained the right to vote in Indiana. But Albion Fellows Bacon was waiting for the ballot. Her two daughters had contracted scarlet fever that was spreading from Evansville’s overcrowded and dilapidated tenements. Bacon began campaigning for housing reforms and other changes, and […]
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
7/14/2020
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has created an environment that is particularly problematic for individuals with alcohol and substance use disorders (ASUD), according to physician scientists at the National Institutes of Health. In a commentary now online in the American Journal of Psychiatry, the researchers liken the global coronavirus emergency to a “perfect storm,” with dire […]
My writing on the freelance revolution usually starts with a story about an interesting startup, a challenge facing freelancers, or a skill set that characterizes highly successful independent professionals. But, in this last piece of the year, I’m taking liberties by recommending that your 2020 agenda include at least one new responsibility. Mentor someone. Would it […]
This research brief offers an initial analysis of newly-released data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), which report on the number of people under probation and parole supervision in 2017 and 2018. This brief seeks to put the data into the context of historical and international community supervision trends and to examine supervision rates […]
MARK YOUR CALENDARS! POPAI will hold its annual business meeting via Zoom on Wednesday, September 16, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. EDT. All members are encouraged to log on to the meeting to learn about the status of the Association and vote on proposed bylaw changes posted here. We’ll also be conducting some random drawings to […]
New data from around the U.S. confirms that drug overdoses are spiking during the coronavirus pandemic, rising by roughly 18%. Reports collected in real time by the Washington, D.C.-based group ODMAP — the Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program, located at the University of Baltimore — also found a significant spike in the number of fatal […]
The Indiana Black Legislative Caucus unveiled an expansive justice reform plan Thursday that reimagines policing across the state. The caucus hopes to advance the agenda in the next legislative session. It’s divided into five pillars: save lives, hold accountable, empower communities, change culture and improve transparency. There are more than three dozen proposed actions, including […]
Kendra Bradner, Vincent Schiraldi, Natasha Mejia, and Evangeline Lopoo
This research brief offers an initial analysis of newly-released data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), which report on the number of people under probation and parole supervision in 2017 and 2018. This brief seeks to put the data into the context of historical and international community supervision trends and to examine supervision rates through a […]
With the implementation of Criminal Rule 26 in January, courts across Indiana have been required to begin using evidence-based practices to make pretrial release decisions. But do those practices actually improve the criminal justice system? Up to this point, there’s been little evidence to determine whether pretrial risk assessment tools are effective. But a recent […]
POPAI is offering a virtual training opportunity in an attempt to assist everyone in obtaining EBP specific training hours this year. Dr. Brian Lovins, Principal at Justice System Partners, will be presenting his workshop Rethinking Community Supervision: Moving from a Referee to a Coach Model on Wednesday, September 16th and Thursday, September 17th from 9:00 […]
As an affiliate member of the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA), POPAI is excited to announce that we are sponsoring over 20 of our members to attend APPA’s Virtual Training Institute for FREE!!! APPA’s 45th Annual Training Institute will be held virtually starting Monday, August 24th through August 28th. Here’s a link for more […]
New norms are being established in community corrections amid the rapid changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many agencies have balanced their public safety mandates with the emerging public health threat by decreasing in-person officer-client interactions. Tele-supervision, as we have dubbed it, is the technology-enabled contact between staff and clients, whether during a sustained period […]
FLOYD COUNTY — Longtime Floyd County Prosecutor Keith Henderson has died, his office confirmed Saturday. Henderson, who served nearly two decades as prosecutor following an eight-year career as an Indiana State Trooper, died peacefully at his home Friday, according to a news release from Floyd County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Chris Lane. Henderson was surrounded by […]
The following candidates have been slated for the 2020 POPAI General Election with no contested positions. Adam McQueen, President Cherie Wood, Secretary Heather Malone, District 2 Representative Mike Small, District 4 Representative Lindsey Villalpando District 6 Representative Mignon Ware District 8 Representative
Practically overnight, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced community corrections agencies to fundamentally change their supervision practices to adapt to remote supervision. With the need to adapt swiftly, agencies’ leadership teams have not had the benefit of the methodical process that usually accompanies significant shifts in operations. As a result, we don’t have all the answers […]
Even with the expanded benefits for out-of-work people, millions of families had to sign up for food stamps during the early months of the pandemic. Now even more people are expected to need the assistance. More than 6 million people began receiving food stamps during the first three months of the coronavirus pandemic—a number experts say is […]
The day was March 16, 2020, in St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota. The event was the COVID-19 global pandemic. The task was instantly transforming our department’s probation supervision practices from traditional to almost exclusively remote. This task, while challenging, was not unique to us in Ramsey County Community Corrections. We hope you will find this […]
Facebook messages exchanged between a man wanted on warrant and a fake profile created by police were not wrongly admitted during his jury trial, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled in a Thursday decision. When Lafayette police learned that Michael Parker was wanted on a warrant from another jurisdiction and that he was possibly in […]
Abt Associates Holly Swan, PhD, Walter Campbell, PhD
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the United States (U.S.) justice system—from policing to reentry— has been profound (Chapman, Irazola, and Swan, 2020). Appropriately, much of the focus in media and scholarly outlets has been on the impact of the pandemic on prisons and incarcerated populations (Akiyama, et al., 2020; Busanksy, 2020; Burki, 2020; […]
Indiana judicial officers who want to participate in public events aimed at addressing social issues are allowed to do so, as long as they can in a manner that doesn’t impinge upon the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary, a new advisory opinion from the Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications says. The JQC issued Advisory […]
Over 300 individuals registered for the NIJ webinar: Pretrial Risk Assessment in Practice Lessons & Research from Indiana on July 15th, 2020 to learn about implementation of the Indiana Risk Assessment System – Pretrial Assessment Tool (IRAS-PAT) in Indiana. This webinar is now publicly available on YouTube and can be found here:
When in-person legal education events became virtually impossible during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic chose to go virtual. The clinic, out of necessity, decided to implement a new way of reaching the communities it serves through a social media platform that has recently taken off, Facebook Watch. “The concept of […]
Every year POPAI provides a scholarship in memory of probation officer Donald “Charley” Knepple. Charley lost his life on April 28, 1997, while performing his probation officer duties in Allen County, Indiana. In an effort to honor an outstanding professional and to promote further professionalism, POPAI selected a scholarship that would encourage continued education and […]
The lawsuit alleges three private companies that provide telecom services in prisons lied to state and local governments about the cost of doing business. A new lawsuit filed in federal district court is taking aim at the high cost of making phone calls from prison. Families of incarcerated people are calling the prices charged for […]
Public health experts and advocates have worried about correctional facilities since the beginning of the pandemic. In such close quarters, social distancing is difficult or impossible, and a coronavirus outbreak poses risks to inmates, staff and the surrounding communities. To mitigate those risks, some governors — including those in Indiana’s neighboring states — took steps to reduce […]
The Caution Against Racially Exploitative Non-Emergencies Act would create penalties for those who make false emergency reports. On Memorial Day in New York City, a white woman named Amy Cooper called the police on a Black birdwatcher, Christian Cooper (the two are not related), and falsely reported that he was threatening her. A video of the […]
Many attorneys doing public defender work do so under contract with counties – meaning they get paid a flat amount, regardless of the number of hours they work. And that’s the primary method of public defense in about a third of Indiana. (WFIU/WTIU News file) Many lawyers in Indiana doing public defender work earn less than […]
Nominations are being accepted until August 17, 2020 for three awards traditionally presented during our Annual Meeting. The Founder’s Award is a way of recognizing individuals who have significantly contributed to the field of probation in general, and specifically to the POPAI organization. The recipient need not be a Probation Officer or POPAI member. The […]
According to the POPAI Bylaws, Article XIV AMENDMENTS These bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed by the membership if a quorum is present at any regular or special meeting. Any proposed alteration to the bylaws shall be submitted to the President of the Executive Board at least sixty (60) days prior to the annual […]
Confusion over prolonged expungement wait times that Indiana’s longest-serving judge called “unjust” was settled Wednesday when the Indiana Supreme Court declared a new law that eliminated the confusion applies retroactively. In a 4-1 ruling, the Indiana Supreme Court ordered the Elkhart Superior Court to grant the expungement that N. G. has sought beginning in 2018. […]
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — The pandemic has taken a toll on day-to-day life for most people, including those in the recovery community. From the loss of in-person recovery meetings, to unemployment and furloughs, to a general sense of disconnect, recovering addicts are faced with several COVID-19 related hurdles as they navigate through the […]
As viral videos of shoppers’ tirades and confrontations over being asked to wear face coverings during the COVID-19 pandemic erupt, major retailers are urging governors to make it a requirement for everyone to wear a mask. The Retail Industry Leaders Association, which represents Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Walgreens, Home Depot and other major chains, says different local mandates across […]
There have been transformative changes in pretrial practices nationwide in the era of the coronavirus, according to a new, unpublished survey of several pretrial services agencies. “You saw a lot of criminal justice stakeholders getting together on how best to handle this [the pandemic],” said Jim Sawyer, executive director of the National Association of Pretrial Services […]
(BEDFORD) – The Lawrence County Commissioners gave their approval for Lawrence County to be a Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) county. Juvenile Referee Anah Hewetson Gouty told the commissioners Tuesday morning that the county has received a grant for around $50,000 to participate in the initiative. “The increased and unnecessary use of secure detention exposes […]
The 2020 legislative session ended in March – but many of the major education and health care measures passed by the state legislature go into effect on Wednesday. Hands-Free Driving Hoosiers can no longer use their cell phones while driving unless they’re hands-free, starting Wednesday. Indiana Department of Transportation spokesperson Scott Manning said drivers can […]
The image of 12 people packed shoulder-to-shoulder in a jury box is a powerful one. Enshrined in the Constitution, and in countless hours on television. But now? Court officials around the country are weighing their options while dealing with the looming threat of COVID-19. In Indiana, jury trials are scheduled to resume on July 1, and […]
The authors examine the relationship between supervision intensity and probation outcomes (i.e., increase in supervision level and rearrest) among low-risk individuals. Results show that individuals placed on the low-risk caseload were less likely to have probation revoked than low-risk probationers placed on regular caseloads. There was no significant relationship between low-intensity supervision and rearrest. Download […]
CLARK COUNTY — A Clark County board voted Tuesday to modify an in-patient addiction program for inmates to an outpatient-only program — a change some say is needed to protect against COVID-19 and others say will dampen the program’s effects. The Clark County Community Corrections board — which has representatives from multiple county departments and […]
The National Judicial Opioid Task Force (NJOTF) has created excellent tools to assist courts in addressing the addictions crisis. Many of these tools are “deliverables” or “bench-cards” for a judge to quickly reference, e.g. a Substance Use Disorder Dictionary for State Courts and a guide to treating pregnant women with opioid use disorder. The NJOTF’s […]
Registration is open for APPA’s 45th Annual Training Institute – Value and Vision: A Virtual Experience Date(s): August 24 — 28, 2020 Venue: Virtual Website: coming soon! student rate: $99 early, non-member rate: $230 late, non-member rate: $290 early bird discount available through 7/30/20. APPA Individual Member discount available, just sign-in. APPA Agency Member discount […]
It wasn’t quite the retirement he expected. With COVID-19 forcing most of the population to work from home, Court of Appeals Judge John Baker quietly visited the Indiana Statehouse in early June to pack up his chambers. He’s been working from his Bloomington home, and even though he won’t officially retire until July 31, he […]
A new report says the CARES Act has offered an important boost to low-income families. But aid will dry up as the year goes on. Cash payments and the expanded unemployment benefits many Americans qualify for under the coronavirus relief package that Congress passed this spring will help to prevent a sharp rise in poverty […]
MGIA Indiana Chapter 2020 State Training August 18 & 19, 2020 Hosted by Indiana Chapter of MGIA Location Embassy Suites by Hilton South Bend at Notre Dame 1140 E. Angela Blvd., South Bend, Indiana 46617 16 hours of ILEA Certified Training Lunch is on your own. Refreshments will be on-site. Training Schedule Registration: Starts at […]
Footage captured on Ring, the video doorbell sold by Amazon, is available to over one thousand law enforcement agencies nationwide. Ring, the “smart” video doorbell owned by Amazon, is no stranger to controversy. Since it began partnering with police departments in 2018, critics have decried Ring as helping create a “surveillance state” in cities where […]
Pretrial Risk Assessment in Practice: Lessons and Research from Indiana Wednesday, July 15th, 2020 12:00 – 1:15 pm Since 2016, researchers with Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) have been studying the implementation of the Indiana Risk Assessment System – Pretrial Assessment Tool (IRAS-PAT) in Indiana. This research team has expanded and evolved to include Dr. Eric […]
Indianapolis courts are beginning to reopen to in-person proceedings this week, though social distancing and other public-safety measures remain in effect at the downtown City-County Building.
The presiding judges of the Lake Circuit and Superior Courts have issued a statement against racism and in support of due process and equal protection. The joint statement issued Friday was signed by Lake Circuit Judge Marissa McDermott and Lake Superior Chief Judge John Sedia and echoes Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush’s June 5 Statement on Race and […]
A woman who was found driving in violation of the lifetime forfeiture of her driver’s license could not convince the Indiana Court of Appeals on Wednesday that her sentence was inappropriate. After being pulled over for improperly changing lanes, Alicia Prince was charged and ultimately convicted of Level 5 felony operating a motor vehicle after […]
The Supreme Court of the United States is for now declining to get involved in an ongoing debate by citizens and in Congress over policing, rejecting cases Monday that would have allowed the justices to revisit when police can be held financially responsible for wrongdoing. With protests over racism and police brutality continuing nationwide, the […]
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — An innocent inhale? The occasional puff? If you’re smoking weed these days to ease COVID-19 anxiety, you might want to reconsider. Smoking marijuana, infrequently as it may be, puts a person at greater risk of severe coronavirus complications. The negative side effects the psychotropic drug has on the lungs has been studied intensively for […]
If you want to run for the POPAI Board in one of the following positions: President Secretary District 2 District 4 District 6 District 8 please return the Intent to Run Form (docx) to Michael by Sunday July 12, 2020 (postmarked, emailed, or faxed).
Memo from Adam McQueen, President of the Probation Officers Professional Association of Indiana, The widespread disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have forced Probation Departments across the State of Indiana to make compromises and sacrifices in order to protect the health of their staff members, as well as the general public. While the State has […]
As we all grapple with the incredible stressors brought on by the COVID-19 Pandemic, high-risk impaired drivers, the population most likely to be dealing with alcohol/substance use and addiction, can be particularly impacted. With social distancing comes isolation and increased challenges in getting to support groups and treatment, as well as the desire to drink […]
When Judge Michael Barnes arrived in Indianapolis to begin his tenure on the Indiana Court of Appeals in 2000, he was one of several state public servants hailing from South Bend. The group, which included then-Lt. Gov. Joe Kernan, was dubbed the South Bend Crew by Judge Nancy Vaidik, who had joined the appellate […]
Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson won attention for marching in solidarity with protesters in Flint Township, Michigan. He says he knows it will take more efforts to really improve many people’s perceptions of law enforcement. On May 30, Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson and a handful of law enforcement officers reported to a Target parking lot in […]
June 4, 2020 The American Probation and Parole Association (APPA) is stunned and saddened by the circumstances surrounding the death of George Floyd. We strongly condemn the actions of the officers involved and call for all pretrial, probation, and parole agencies to join us in stating that this type of behavior is reprehensible and must […]
May 4 2020 interview with Chief Justice Rush: Dear Readers, Like all of you, we had plans for March, April, and May that were quickly cast aside. Our focus instead has been COVID-19. Our communication office turned its full attention to the growing public health emergency, and we put a number of projects on hold—including […]
Citing failures of courts and justice systems to address racial inequities, Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush on Friday issued a statement promising change as protests over the death of George Floyd continued in streets in the Hoosier state and across the nation. Rush issued a Statement on Race and Equity that begins, “The gravity of […]
Stanley DeKemper: February 24, 1948 to June 3, 2020 Vice President for Education, Training & Credentialing; Executive Director, ICAADA It is with great sadness that I must convey Stan DeKemper’s passing yesterday. This is a tremendous loss to our field, our community–and to me, as I considered Stan a close and trusted friend. As I have reflect […]
Law enforcement officers from the Columbus Police Department and Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department have teamed up with JDAI (Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative) and Viewpoint Books to assist with a summer reading program. Beginning today, students and their families who have received books from JDAI will be able to go online and read along with law […]
An Indiana State Bar Association online program geared toward newly admitted attorneys is hoping to prepare and equip new lawyers on how to begin their legal careers in the midst of uncertain times posed by COVID-19. New lawyers are encouraged to learn about navigating the challenges of beginning a legal career during a pandemic and […]
Chief probation officer Christine Kerl and her team from the juvenile division of the Marion Superior Court Probation Department fanned out to Dollar Tree stores across Indianapolis earlier this spring and loaded their carts with items for families to enjoy together during these trying and tiring times. The probation officers bought boxes of spaghetti, jars […]
The Indiana Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative Implicit Bias Training Institute is a four-part, capacity-building workshop to strengthen one’s understanding of implicit bias and how biases impact our daily decisions. The rigorous curriculum equips participants with skills and content to conduct implicit bias training and tools to complete equity impact assessments on policies. According to the Kirwin Institute […]
(Editor’s Note: See POPAI’s Mentorship Program for Chiefs, Assistant Chiefs, and Probation Supervisors.) The research on the power of mentorship is pretty clear: People with mentors perform better, advance in their careers faster, and even experience more work-life satisfaction. And mentors benefit, too. After all, “to teach is to learn twice.” Despite all these benefits, and even though 76% of […]
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana will use nearly $1 million in federal funds to pay for the distribution of the opioid reversal drug naloxone to reach Hoosiers who are at risk of overdose, officials said Monday.
Judges side with Zoom as their top choice of platforms for remote court hearings during the COVID-19 crisis, a National Judicial College survey found. An unscientific poll received more than 700 responses from jurists nationwide, 48% of whom said Zoom is their go-to platform for remote video court proceedings. The WebEx platform was a distant second […]
Julie L. Whitman, MSW, Executive Director | Commission on Improving the Status of Children in Indiana
The Commission on Improving the Status of Children in Indiana hosted the Indiana Youth Institute’s “State of the Child” presentation at the State House on February 25. The State of the Child has become an annual event to launch the most recent version of the Indiana KIDS COUNT Data Book. Every year IYI publishes this compilation of the […]
COMMENTARY | Many small businesses won’t survive, and that will change the landscape of American commerce for years to come. Outside of Boston, a marketing company is struggling to figure out how to cover its bills. In Indiana, a dance studio is waiting on three emergency-loan applications. In Baltimore, a deli is closed and desperate […]
A man who confessed to burning down two Indiana covered bridges has had his guilty but mentally ill verdict reversed by a divided Indiana Supreme Court. The 3-2 majority cited unanimous expert opinion that the defendant is legally insane in overturning a jury’s conclusion. In 2005, Jesse Payne was charged with two counts of arson […]
MGIA Indiana Chapter 2020 State Training August 18 & 19, 2020 Hosted by Indiana Chapter of MGIA Location Embassy Suites by Hilton South Bend at Notre Dame 1140 E. Angela Blvd., South Bend, Indiana 46617 16 hours of ILEA Certified Training Lunch is on your own. Refreshments will be on-site. Training Schedule Registration: Starts at […]
Leaders in at least a handful of states have made clear there will be limits on who can claim unemployment and general worker concerns about safety likely won’t pass muster. As some states begin to reopen their economies beyond just essential businesses, many workers remain leery about the prospect of returning to work due to warnings from […]
The Indiana Supreme Court, in concert with other state officials, is closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and has responded with guidance for state and local courts. This page is updated daily with information about how courts are continuing operations while maintaining safe practices and complying with the Governor’s executive orders issued March 23. Latest Updates […]
New Castle, Ind. – Like so many other employers across Indiana, the Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC) has been impacted by members of the workforce contracting the COVID-19 virus. While other businesses may be able to operate with a reduction in their workforce, the unique duties performed by correctional staff must continue with proper staffing levels. […]
Indiana Supreme Court justices have permitted the expansion of remote proceedings until further order amid the coronavirus public-health emergency. “Pursuant to Indiana Administrative Rule 17 and this Court’s inherent authority to supervise the administration of all courts of this state, the Court finds that the trial courts’ efficient and effective operation to hold timely hearings […]
Carlisle, Ind. – Several facilities in the Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC) have joined in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic by making fabric masks for both inside the facilities and in the community. However, facilities are starting to run out of the needed supplies to continue the production of masks. That’s where you come […]
We are now accepting Intent to Run Forms from POPAI Members ready to serve on the Board. Up for election in 2020: President Secretary District 2 District 4 District 6 District 8 Intent to Run Form (docx) The Intent to Run form must be sent to Michael by Sunday July 12, 2020 (postmarked, emailed, or […]
A framework to improve probation and parole Overview Since 1980, the nation’s community supervision population has ballooned by almost 240 percent. As of 2016, 1 in 55 U.S. adults (nearly 4.5 million people) are on probation or parole, more than twice the number incarcerated in state and federal prisons and local jails. Historically, probation and […]
As flare ups between states and localities over the coronavirus response get attention, one scholar says it may be a good time to reexamine the relationship between the two levels of government. Whether it’s plastic bag bans, minimum wage hikes, paid sick leave or a host of other issues, localities around the U.S. in recent […]
I’ve added two resources to the COVID-19 page. The new operations resource is a PDF document to help you order PPE from the DOC: PPE Supplies from IDOC (PDF document includes products and ordering information) Aspire Indiana is offering a free Psychological First Aid Course. “The Psychological Footprint of COVID19 will last longer and have […]
(The article is free as part of The Daily Beast Coronavirus coverage) Authorities nationwide are reporting an uptick in fatal opioid overdoses during social distancing. Lynn sat in the parking lot of her opioid treatment clinic in Columbus, Ohio, for hours on a recent Tuesday. Like in other parts of the country, the coronavirus pandemic […]
Indianapolis Business Journal Staff and Lindsey Erdody
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb said he will ease social distancing restrictions in all but three counties starting Monday. In a new executive order released Friday that goes into effect Monday and lasts through May 23, retailers — including malls — will be allowed to open at 50% capacity; manufacturers not currently operating will be permitted […]
Interview with Anderson Cooper “I love you guys with all my heart and you’ve given me the best life I could have ever asked for.” That’s the beginning of a goodbye note one woman found on her husband’s phone after he died from coronavirus this week. Jonathan Coelho, [probation officer] 32, passed away on April […]
Vinton County, Ohio, has been on the front lines of the opioid crisis in the U.S. for several years. The drugs may have changed over the years — from opioids to meth — but the devastating effects on families have not. And even though the county hasn’t had high infection rates of the coronavirus, the necessary […]
So, special “care packs” are being sent. BLOOMINGTON — At the Monroe Circuit Court Probation Office, Juvenile Division, there is no “business as usual” these days. Chief Probation Officer Linda Brady says virtual and telephone appointments have replaced face-to-face connections between probation officers and the juveniles they are assigned to. Because of that, Brady says […]
(BEDFORD) – In early February 2020 Justice Steven H. David of the Indiana Supreme Court, Chair of the Executive Committee for the Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative (JDAI), sent a letter to Indiana judges seeking interest and commitment to the JDAI initiative. Lawrence County Juvenile Referee, Anah Hewetson Gouty, submitted a Statement of Interest for Lawrence […]
The man accused of shooting two Indiana judges in a May 1 morning melee in a downtown Indianapolis White Castle parking lot is asking a judge to unseal evidence — including surveillance video of the incident — that his attorneys say is critical to his claim that he acted in self-defense. The state counters that […]
Early one morning in March, Madison McIntosh showed up on his day off at the Scottsdale, Arizona, driving range and restaurant where he worked. The 24-year-old sat in his car until the place opened, then wandered around all day, alternating between gibberish and talk of suicide as co-workers tried to keep him away from customers. […]
Probation Officer Donald Knepple was shot and killed on April 28, 1997 after being ambushed by a man at a counseling center on South Calhoun Street in Fort Wayne. The suspect, a former juvenile corrections officer who had been convicted of attempted child molestation, had arranged a meeting with his counselor and Probation Officer Knepple […]
Ten prisoners in state Department of Correction facilities have now tested positive for COVID-19, along with 20 agency employees, prompting questions to WFIU’s City Limits: Coronavirus about how social distancing measures are being implemented in prisons and county jails. Since the middle of March, inmates entering the Monroe County Jail in Bloomington have been monitored […]
Indianapolis, Ind – On the day IMPD Officer Breann Leath was laid to rest Governor Eric Holcomb announced the Wee Ones Nursery at the Indiana Women’s Prison would be renamed as the ‘Officer Breann Leath Memorial Maternal & Child Health Unit.’ The announcement was made by Gov. Eric Holcomb at the beginning of his daily […]
An Indianapolis police officer who was fatally shot while responding to a domestic violence call was remembered Thursday during her funeral as a dedicated, compassionate officer and a devoted young mother, with a police chaplain calling her “a beautiful flower that was picked way too soon.” Numerous speakers, including Gov. Eric Holcomb, spoke during the service for […]
Homeless shelters are running out of money, supplies and staff. For years, the Harbor House shelter had a routine for feeding and sheltering the hundreds of homeless people in Thousand Oaks, California, many of them elderly. Each evening, one of a dozen local churches, temples and mosques would host a dinner, and afterward, lay out […]
POPAI Vision: To champion probation as a vital part of the criminal justice system. POPAI Mission: To promote, support, and grow the profession of probation in Indiana by collaborating with criminal justice partners, advancing and protecting the interests of our membership, and providing education and professional development opportunities in the use of evidence-based community supervision […]
In the effort to release people from jails to stem coronavirus outbreaks behind bars, those jailed for probation and parole violations have been an obvious choice. They’re locked up not for committing new crimes but for breaking the rules of their supervision, like drinking alcohol, traveling without permission, or missing appointments. In New York alone, Governor Andrew Cuomo last […]
An Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer was shot and killed and a female was injured Thursday afternoon on the east side of Indianapolis, according to IMPD. The incident happened around 3 p.m. in the 1800 block of Edinburge Square, near 21st and Franklin. Officers were called to the apartment for a domestic incident, IMPD Assistant […]
The move to share the home addresses of people who have tested positive for the coronavirus is meant to protect police and emergency workers, but some say the disclosures could give them a false sense of security. State and local governments are beginning to share the addresses of people who test positive for Covid-19 with […]
Recent days have seen spending reductions and downbeat revenue forecasts. The mark the coronavirus is leaving on state budgets became more apparent in recent days, as governors took action to reduce spending and gloomy new revenue estimates emerged. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt on Friday said his state is now expecting a revenue shortfall of about […]
Indiana Supreme Court justices have denied a petition from the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana inviting the high court to engage in emergency rule making to facilitate the release of Hoosier inmates at risk for contracting COVID-19. The petition, filed March 30 by ACLU of Indiana legal director Ken Falk and attorneys Stevie Pactor […]
The APPA Technology Committee created two new issue papers on topics vital to the world of probation and parole, particularly how we supervise our clients. View the full issue papers here: Leveraging the Power of Smartphone Applications to Enhance Community Supervision Body Worn Cameras in Community Supervision
Before he was incarcerated inside the Miami Correctional Facility, an inmate named Wesley worked construction and he’s putting those skills to use in the battle against the COVID-19 virus that is raging outside Indiana prison walls. “This I been over here for fourteen months so I got all the sewing experience that’s needed for it […]
Some people in Louisville are being diagnosed with COVID-19 and then refusing to stay home, defying orders from doctors, city and state leaders. Now, judges are issuing court orders in an attempt to hold them legally liable. Court documents obtained by WHAS11 FOCUS investigative team reveal Jefferson County citizens are being court ordered to stay […]
State leaders from all three branches of government say local criminal justice officials should decide how to handle inmates in county jails during the COVID-19 crisis. Gov. Eric Holcomb, Chief Justice Loretta Rush, Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville) and House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) released a joint letter to local officials Friday. That letter acknowledges […]
Before the spreading coronavirus became a pandemic, Emma went to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting every week in the Boston area and to another support group at her methadone clinic. She says she felt safe, secure and never judged. “No one is thinking, ‘Oh my God, she did that?’ ” says Emma, “’cause they’ve been there.” […]
What evidence do we have that our post-incarceration programs are working to their fullest? There are so many difficulties facing those returning to their communities that continued review of best practices is essential. Our latest issue takes an in-depth look at the links between Evidence-Based Practices and reentry to better understand how we can serve […]
As the lives of community corrections professionals have been upended by the threat of coronavirus, the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA) has received numerous requests for online training resources that officers may access while working from home. First, we’re proud to announce that beginning in late April, APPA will host a series of brand-new […]
In response to the rapidly evolving events surrounding COVID-19, APPA will regularly share our resources, updates from the CDC and WHO, as well as material specific to our industry. We will overcome this challenging situation through continued education and collaboration with our members, colleagues, and friends. “Hope is important because it can make the present […]
Wed, Apr 8, 2020 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to grow, more and more community corrections professionals have concerns about how this is currently impacting their work and questions about how it will shape their future. To address those concerns, APPA will host a virtual roundtable facilitated by Dr. […]
On this page, the Justice Lab will gather and share examples of measures that probation and parole agencies are taking to slow down the COVID-19 pandemic. This page is designed as a growing resource for executives actively managing the crisis. Read the Statement from community supervision executives on the importance of using best practices during […]
The 2020 legislative session ended on Wednesday, March 11th. A final list of bills that passed which may be interest to our membership is posted on the Legislation page. Included is a brief summary of the bill and links to the full text.
“Disruptive innovation, a term coined by Clayton Christensen, describes a process by which a product or service takes root initially in simple applications at the bottom of a market and then relentlessly moves up market, eventually displacing established competitors.” The worlds of addiction treatment and recovery mutual aid are on the brink of being radically […]
Lauren Lee White (text) and Joseph Rodriguez (photos)
Working for the county probation department, the largest in the nation, means being equal parts social worker and law enforcement On a Tuesday morning in October, Los Angeles deputy probation officer Booker Waugh made his way down a nearly sheer hillside, just a few feet from the entrance to the 10 freeway heading east. Waugh, […]
Some say that well over 200 years ago, Sir William Curtis coined the phrase “the three Rs: reading, writing and arithmetic,” which are the basic skills that should be taught in schools. To this day, I can still hear my grandmother talking about the importance of reading, writing and arithmetic. It has been said that […]
Updated 9:50 a.m. Friday, March 20 Go to the original article for the latest The Indiana Supreme Court has approved nearly three-quarters of Indiana trial court petitions to operate under emergency plans in an effort to stem the spread of COVID-19. About 70 of the state’s 92 counties have been approved to curtail operations per […]
Editor’s note: This story is being regularly updated with the latest law-related responses to COVID-19. POPAI Note: This article was captured on 3/13/2020 and will not be updated. Please see the original article for most up to date edits. The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office is encouraging its employees to telework beginning Friday in response to […]
The Trump Administration Friday released a new tool to assist rural community leaders in building an effective local response to drug addiction. The Rural Community Action Guide is another tool from the administration to help local leaders address drug addiction in their community. Anne Hazlett, Senior Adviser for Rural Affairs in the White House Office […]
Applicants for the Knepple Scholarship should act quickly and apply on or before 12:00 noon EST on Monday, March 23, 2020 Download the application that contains Full Information including qualifications (updated 2/15/2020) Questions? Contact Bob Schuster, Chair of Awards and Recognition Committee at 219-326-6808 Ext. 2511 or your POPAI District Representative.
ASHLAND, La. (AP) — A Louisiana woman was arrested on drug charges after police determined the $5,000 cash she used to post an inmate’s bail had a “strong odor of marijuana.” Authorities began investigating Stormy Lynn Parfait, 33, on Friday, shortly after she showed up at the Ashland jail to pay the bond fee for […]
INDIANAPOLIS (WANE) — The Indiana Department of Correction has suspended visitations at all of its facilities around the state due to concerns about the coronavirus pandemic. The department said Wednesday that visitations would be suspended beginning Thursday and last “at least two weeks.” The DOC said the decision to suspend visitations was “precautionary,” and made […]
EVANSVILLE, Ind. — The Vanderburgh County Council was handed jail expansion alternatives about four months ago, and it’s time for the council to act, County Commissioners President Jeff Hatfield said. Hatfield delivered a letter to councilors Friday saying the county must address its “critically overcrowded” jail. The jail on Harlan Avenue operates above capacity, with […]
Overdose deaths have increased across the country over the last couple of years, but Hancock County in Indiana is choosing to combat the problem in a new, and controversial, way. In an article in the Indy Star, they lay out the size of the problem in Hancock County: “According to Indiana State Department of Health […]
Hiring Hoosiers is an initiative from RTV6 that works to connect Hoosiers to employment opportunities, career development resources, training programs and educational paths. Learn more about Hiring Hoosiers and see new stories weekdays at 6 a.m. on RTV6. HAMILTON COUNTY — A criminal record can impact someone’s ability to find a job, which can […]
Related: Indiana confirms first case of coronavirus Indiana State Health Commissioner Kris Box has this message for Hoosiers worried about the prospect of an outbreak of the novel coronavirus: The state has been taking the necessary steps to prepare for this eventuality, using a blueprint drawn up for the prospect of a pandemic such as […]
When judges impose sentences, they consider the crimes, and how likely the offenders are to offend again. Lori Dumas has been a judge in family, and criminal courts in Philadelphia for more than a decade. She said she knows people end up in front of her because they did something. But she also considers that a […]
LEBANON, Ind. – Boone County is now administering suboxone to inmates to help control their cravings for opioids, a first of its kind addiction treatment program in a Hoosier jail. At least two inmates are now taking the narcotic. The goal is to get people on a treatment plan while they are behind bars so […]
Dr. Darla Hinshaw walks up to the podium in the Indiana Senate chamber. She’s there to tell lawmakers about the children she treats as a psychiatrist and the issue standing between kids and effective treatment. She tells a story of a foster care teenager who was admitted into a facility on a Friday. “He continued […]
The intensity of feelings generated by friendship in childhood and adolescence is by design. Early in 2010, the year we moved to Hong Kong, our three boys were 11, eight, and six. When we sat them down to tell them we’d be moving there for a few years, we tried to sell it as a […]
CINCINNATI (WKRC) – Drug abuse continues to leave a tragic trail. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 70,237 people died from drug overdoses in 2017 alone. Drug abuse is also expensive, The Council of Economic Advisors estimates the cost of the opioid crisis in 2018 cost $696 billion in the value of […]
Many people in the throes of opioid addiction are struggling to live another day without facing the pain of withdrawal. Their top priority is finding another fix, which often means sacrificing their health and safety. That’s why Baton Rouge officials are bringing addiction services where they’re needed most. Local leaders hosted an open house Monday […]
(CNN)If overdose deaths don’t slow down in Franklin County, Ohio, a temporary morgue may be needed to store the bodies. The county has seen 23 overdose deaths from January 31 to February 7, Dr. Anahi Ortiz, the county’s coroner, said in a statement on her Facebook page. The next day, the county had five more. […]
Washington (CNN)President Donald Trump campaigned on ending the opioid crisis in the United States. He highlighted stories of those affected in his State of the Union addresses. The first lady has made visits to neonatal clinics treating addiction recovering babies a key part of her time at the White House. And according to new federal […]
Although Rachel Martin would never deny she had a drinking problem, she figured years would pass before it would take a toll on her health. After all, she had not yet hit 40 and she had managed to eke out two years of complete sobriety about a decade ago. Even when she was drinking, she […]
The basic concept of indigency is well-understood in the law. A low-income defendant who can’t afford a lawyer will be appointed one, and their court fees also may be waived. But across Indiana, lawyers say judges in different counties often take different approaches to making an indigency determination. That’s led to what some call “justice […]
Submit your application to be considered for the 2020 Donald “Charley” Knepple Scholarship Award. The winner will be announced at the 2020 Annual Indiana Probation Officers Conference in April. The qualified candidate chosen for the Scholarship Award will be awarded $2,500.00 to help pay for their costs in continuing his or her education pursuing a […]
The number of homeless students in the US is the highest in more than a decade according to a new study. Most of the 1.5m homeless children stayed with other families or friends after losing their homes. But 7% lived in abandoned buildings or cars, the report by the National Centre for Homeless Education showed. […]
A Republican state senator has dropped a proposal attacking what he called “social justice prosecution” by empowering Indiana’s attorney general to appoint special prosecutors to take over criminal cases that local authorities decide they won’t pursue. The proposal followed Democratic Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears’ new policy of not pressing charges for possessing small amounts of marijuana. […]
Companies say helping employees access quality child care is ‘just good business.’ Access to quality, affordable child care is a widespread problem across the country and in the state of Indiana, where it affects parents and children across the socioeconomic spectrum in all 92 counties. But, in addition to the challenges Indiana families have accessing care, […]
Bartholomew County and Columbus law enforcement, including school resource officers, invited local junior high and high school students to get to know them on the ice of Hamilton Center. The officers skated with 121 youth from area schools and enjoyed food and refreshments. There were also prize giveaways during the event. The two-hour event, sponsored […]
The purpose of this article is to review systems-level factors that impact implementation of evidence-based practices (EBPs) in corrections which are often less understood in the research. I provide a brief overview of the National Implementation Research Network’s (NIRN’s) core implementation components I use as my framework for this discussion, and then go through two […]
(Opinion) In September, the FDA stepped in to limit abuse of Imodium and other anti-diarrhea drugs. Apparently it’s a growing problem. This lends itself to way more questions than answers, a friend of mine wrote on Facebook the other day above a weird photo. It showed three boxes of Imodium A-D — that trusted anti-diarrhea […]
NEW YORK — By 8 a.m., the line already snaked all the way around the side of the South Bronx probation office, and more people were arriving, dragging metal shopping carts ready to receive canned vegetables, Thanksgiving turkeys, cat food, and boxed mac-and-cheese. The eager, polyglot crowd, most of whom are not under court supervision, […]
The Indiana Supreme Court will consider this week whether to grant transfer to a wrong-way-driver case focused on a post-accident blood draw. Arguments on petition to transfer will be heard at 9 a.m. Thursday in State of Indiana v. Wesley Ryder, 18A-CR-02325. In that case, Wesley Ryder was charged with several felonies after he allegedly […]
A probation officer fell ill while frisking a probationer Tuesday, prompting a hazardous materials alert at the agency’s offices in Westminster. The probation officer was searching the probationer and his items in the department’s offices at 14180 Beach Blvd. about 2:45 p.m. when the officer fell ill, said Carrie Braun of the Orange County Sheriff’s […]
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — State lawmakers are continuing to push a proposal that would allow undocumented immigrants in Indiana to legally drive. It is an idea that has been introduced seven times, but the bill has never received a hearing. Yet, some representatives believe it is an important issue to take on. During her first term, […]
At the Gwinnett County Jail in Georgia, inmates who previously served in the military can choose to join a veterans-only housing unit that offers structure and tailored programming. Filling out intake paperwork at the Gwinnett County Jail, Dylan Antoine marked “yes” on a form that asked if he had served in the military. Weeks later, […]
March 12 and 13, 2020 at the Drury Plaza Hotel, Indianapolis. The Probation Management Institute is designed to provide supervisory level staff with ongoing training opportunities in topics related to managing your department. This year, the POPAI Chief’s Executive Committee has chosen to focus on a variety of topics including : • Community Correction Grant […]
Lawyers in southwest Indiana who would like to be considered for appointment to the Vanderburgh Superior Court bench have a few weeks remaining to make their interest known to Gov. Eric Holcomb, who will select the successor for a longtime jurist. Holcomb announced last week that applications will be accepted through Feb. 12 from qualified candidates seeking […]
When he was 20 years old, Crown Point resident Ricky “Ricochet” Chandler broke his pelvic bone into nine pieces. He was prescribed opioids to help with the pain. But, to avoid the negative side effects of opioids, Chandler said he decided to take cannabidiol-based products instead. “CBD helped me get off opioids and it saved […]
An order that a juvenile delinquent be committed to the Indiana Department of Corrections until his 18th birthday has been remanded for correction after the Indiana Court of Appeals concluded the trial court abused its discretion in ordering the determinate commitment. Juvenile F.H.’s troubles began in May 2018 when he was alleged at age 14 […]
Shane MacLeod spent 14 years in federal prison for armed robbery and he’s covered from head-to-toe in tattoos. The only things not covered are his butt cheeks and the tops of his feet. Inmates often tattoo one another with makeshift tools. Some get gang-related tattoos, which they consider a matter of survival. Others, such as […]
A Senate committee took hours of contentious testimony on a measure that would lower the age at which children are sent to the Department of Correction. Major portions of the bill were entirely removed, on the fly, moments before a final vote was taken. Provisions that remain expand the list of crimes that could send a delinquent […]
New rules for bonding out of jail are in effect under Criminal Rule 26. The Indiana Supreme Court signed CR 26 into law to take effect in all courts Jan. 1, 2020, after two years of pilot programs in 11 counties. The rule is intended to improve pretrial practices in the state by encouraging trial […]
A felon convicted on two gun charges and sentenced to an upper-range prison term received token relief from the Indiana Court of Appeals on Thursday, but he still is ordered to serve more than 10 years behind bars.
ANDERSON, Ind. (WTHR) — Police in Madison County are searching for a DCS caseworker indicted by a grand jury. It found Spencer Day Osborn should have never returned a 4-year-old boy to his mother. He’s now facing felony neglect of a dependent charges. Osborn had his initial hearing Wednesday afternoon. Osborn’s attorney Philip Sheward responded […]
A new Indiana rule requiring that booked inmates be assessed to determine risks or benefits of releasing them before trial is expected to eventually reduce overcrowding at the state’s county jails, criminal justice officials say. Criminal Rule 26, which set Indiana’s new pretrial release protocols, was adopted by the Indiana Supreme Court in 2017, but […]
The Miami Valley Regional Crime Lab will soon be analyzing drug evidence for the Indiana State Police — the first contract with an out-of-state agency and one that may dramatically increase the lab’s caseload and benefit its bottom line. The contract approved by Montgomery County Commissioners on Tuesday calls for the lab to conduct solid-dose […]
When the opioid problem hit rural Indiana it appeared that it would have a limited impact on Daviess County. The hit was nothing like the scourge that methamphetamine produced when it rolled into southwestern Indiana in the 1990s. Still, officials say the opioid problem did have an impact. “About two or three years ago we […]
Today, our 2020 Bills to Follow page went live. You’ll find a list of bills that have been identified as interesting to follow by the POPAI Board. Members will no longer need to log in to view this information. It is now conveniently available to you with a single click from the far right side […]
“No one is embarrassed to call 911 for a fire or an emergency,” said the CEO of a suicide-prevention nonprofit. “No one should be embarrassed to call 988 for a mental health emergency.” Federal regulators are setting up a new three-digit number to reach a suicide prevention hotline in order to make it easier to […]
New data released by Uber showing almost 6,000 sexual assaults in last two years is prompting some officials to call for new requirements on ride-hailing companies to improve safety. Stories of people assaulted in ride-hailing vehicles have made frequent headlines in recent years, prompting calls from policymakers for companies to release data on the number of riders […]
He still has the last name of a woman who adopted him in grade school — then gave him back. From the time he was 3 until he turned 14, Dominic Williamson was bounced to 80 different foster homes. When he turned 18, he found himself alone and homeless, and resorting to a life of […]
INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) – Recreational marijuana is now legal in Michigan, with Illinois to follow January 1. That brings the number of states allowing recreational use to 11, with 33 states allowing for medical marijuana. Indiana is among the 16 states where marijuana use remains illegal in any form. But State Rep. Jim Lucas (R-Seymour) thinks […]
Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush issued a call to arms for everyone involved in the state’s justice system in her annual State of the Judiciary Address Wednesday. Rush hailed much of the work that’s already been done in Indiana – from problem-solving courts to improved court technology to pretrial and criminal justice reform. But she […]
The Bloomington Housing Authority is looking for contractors to help complete a $7 million renovation project for more than 100 public housing units. Over the course of 18 months, 116 units in the Rev. E.D. Butler and Walnut Woods complexes will be renovated. Rhonda Moore, capital assets manager for the Bloomington Housing Authority, said the […]
NEW ALBANY — The day in Floyd County Circuit Court started off like any of the other annual swearing-in ceremonies for the county’s probation officers. More than a dozen officials renewed their oaths before judges Terrence Cody, James Hancock, Maria Granger and Magistrate Julie Fessel Flanigan on Monday. But at the end of the proceedings, […]
A new Indiana rule requiring that booked inmates be assessed to determine risks or benefits of releasing them before trial is expected to eventually reduce overcrowding at the state’s county jails, criminal justice officials said. Criminal Rule 26, which set Indiana’s new pretrial release protocols, was adopted by the Indiana Supreme Court in 2017 but […]
Whitney Randolph goes into work every day knowing her job is coming to an end in a few months. Her Franklin County courtroom office has expansive windows that overlook the city. “Technically, it’s my department that’s going,” Randolph says with a laugh. “If you choose to stay and reapply for the new positions, you know […]
Reduced smoking rates, not much violent crime and low reports of sexually transmitted diseases make Vermont the healthiest state in the country, according to rankings released this week. Vermont is the healthiest state in the country thanks to decreased rates of smoking and mental distress, along with low incidences of violent crime and certain sexually […]
LAGRANGE — Indiana State Supreme Court Justice Steven David returned to LaGrange County Monday, a guest of JDAI program director Randy Merrifield. David came to speak with local students in programs supported by the JDAI office and meet with local Amish businessmen. David has been to LaGrange County three times in the last two years […]
Ohio imprisons 567 people per 100,000 residents, 15th most in the country, while spending $181 for every resident of the state to do so, a new analysis reveals. The review from HowMuch.net found Ohio spends less on a per capita basis than other nearby states, even as the number of people in prison in the state is higher than […]
Robert Alexander has been away from home for more than a decade. His days and nights are spent locked up behind walls topped with barbed wire. “Prison kind of gives you that feeling that you’re like on an island,” says Alexander, 39, who is studying for a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies while serving his […]
INDIANAPOLIS—The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) recently launched a public awareness campaign to educate youths about the dangers of e-cigarettes, or “vaping.” The “Behind the Haze” campaign is part of a $2 million effort announced by Governor Eric J. Holcomb and State Health Commissioner Kris Box, M.D., FACOG, to reduce vaping among Indiana youth. […]
La PORTE — In January, La Porte County officials will flip the switch on some significant overhauls to the criminal justice system — changes leaders hope will result in a smaller jail population. At its meeting Monday, the La Porte County Council approved the hiring and training of two new pretrial service officers at the […]
ALBANY, N.Y. — When Democrats pushed through a law last spring that sharply curtailed cash bail for nonviolent defendants, they hailed it as a landmark measure to stop the poor from being jailed before trial simply because they had few resources. Now, as the rules take effect on Jan. 1, a backlash has arisen among […]
Liz Benton recently quit weed after smoking it at least once a day for seven years — and the first week was especially brutal. Within two days of quitting, she experienced a panic attack. She struggled to fall asleep, and when she did, she’d have horrifying nightmares, or wake up in the middle of the night, […]