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MISSION STATEMENT:
"The DeWitt County Probation and Court Services Department will
serve the Court and protect the community by encouraging offender
accountability; and will guide and educate offenders in strategies to
increase responsible behaviors resulting in a reduction in
recidivism."
DEPARTMENT GOALS:
The primary goal of the DeWitt County Adult Probation and Court
Services is to serve the Court, protect public safety through the
differential supervision of offenders and to provide necessary services
to reduce the probability of continued criminal behavior.
The primary goal DeWitt County Juvenile Probation and Court Services
is to reduce the probability of future delinquency and further
penetration into the justice system.
The Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the
State of Illinois, at Article I, Section 11, states: "All penalties
shall be determined both according to the seriousness of the offense and
with the objective of restoring the offender to useful
citizenship." Consistent with the constitutional concept of
"restorative justice," Illinois law (730 ILCS 5/5-6-1)
requires a presumption of probation in the consideration of sentencing
options, and the majority of convicted offenders are, in fact, sentenced
to probation. As the sentence of choice in Illinois, probation is a
cost-effective alternative to imprisonment that can serve the ends of
justice, provide for the safety of society, and restore offenders to
useful and productive lives.
The mission of Illinois probation departments, and
the DeWitt County Probation Department is to provide the circuit court
with a comprehensive system of quality programs and services which are
responsive to constitutional and statutory requirements, and which
reflect judicial priorities and community needs.
Other goals of Illinois probation departments and
the DeWitt County Probation Department:
1) Provide complete and accurate information to
the Court to facilitate judicial decision making.
2) Provide differential, community-based
supervision and intervention to offenders dependent upon risk,
individual offender needs and available resources.
3) Reduce recidivism among offenders sentenced
to probation.
4) Identify and develop new programs which
qualitatively and cost effectively enhance community supervision
strategies.
5) Provide for the care, safety and security of
juveniles confined to detention facilities pending court action.
6) Ensure accountability to the victim and the
community through financial restitution and public service programs.
7) improve the quality, effectiveness and
professionalism of Illinois probation and court services.
It is the philosophy of the DeWitt County
Probation and Court Services Department to integrate the concepts,
goals, and ideals previously stated to achieve restorative justice. The
officers of the DeWitt County Probation and Court Services Department
shall respond to the challenge of providing informative, analytical
information to the Court, so that the Court can determine the most
appropriate disposition, and provide rehabilitative and punitive
measures as part of a continuum of sanctions to assist the defendant in
achieving behavioral changes that will allow the defendant to remain in
the community and reduce the likelihood of further criminal activity.
The DeWitt County Probation and Court Services
Department offers the following services to help the department adhere
to it's stated mission and achieve it's goals:
- Drug Testing
- Drug Court
- Public Safety Work Projects
- Administrative Sanctions
- Interstate and Intrastate transfer of cases
- Electronic Monitoring
- Juvenile Intake Screening and Diversion 8.
Victim impact Panels
- Youth Initiative Program
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