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Accountability Through Innovation and Collaboration

NCJ Number
201665
Journal
Corrections Today Magazine Volume: 65 Issue: 5 Dated: August 2003 Pages: 56-58,65
Author(s)
Bruce Vander Sanden; Rick Faulkner
Date Published
August 2003
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article describes several examples of partnerships between community corrections and other criminal justice agencies throughout the United States.
Abstract
As community corrections agencies and other criminal justice agencies face budgetary cuts, they find they must do more for less money. As such, many agencies have found the value in forging collaborations and partnerships with other agencies responsible for the management of offenders. While these type of collaborations seem intuitive, in the past there has been a surprising divide between the many agencies charged with keeping the community safe. The article highlights some of the innovative and successful collaborations of criminal justice agencies taking place across the United States. Cedar Rapids, IA has implemented the Sixth Judicial District Department of Correctional Service, High-Risk Unit, which is a unit comprised of parole and probation officers who receive training from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy to be certified peace officers. The High-Risk Unit bridges the divide between law enforcement and corrections. Another highlighted program is Dorchester, Massachusetts’ Probation District Court, which partners police officers with probation officers. The joint units travel together after normal working hours to check home curfews and increase community safety. Tennessee’s Board of Probation and Parole, Virginia’s Adult Community Corrections program, and Washington’s Department of Corrections, Community Corrections are similarly highlighted for their unique partnerships and programs that strive to build connections between law enforcement and probation and parole agencies.