August 6 Michelle Dresbaugh, Newton County Chief Probation Officer Visits Rotary
Rotarian Candace Armstrong (left) hosted guest speaker Michelle Dresbaugh, Newton County Chief Probation Officer, at the Monday noon luncheon meeting. Michelle talked about the origin of the practice of probation and gave an overview of how it is implemented today here locally. She first revealed that John Augustus of Woburn, Massachusetts is generally recognized as the first true probation officer. In 1841, Augustus attended police court to bail out a "common drunkard," the first probationer. The offender was ordered to appear three weeks later for sentencing. When he returned to court, accompanied by Augustus, he was a sober man. To the astonishment of all in attendance, his appearance and demeanor had dramatically changed. Augustus thus began a 18 - year career as a volunteer probation officer. He is credited with establishing some of the basic concepts of modern probation.
The concept of probation spread gradually throughout the United States. The first juvenile court was established in Chicago in 1899. Today all states offer both juvenile and adult probation.
In Newton County there are three full-time officers and one administrative assistant. Angelique Watkins is the juvenile probation officer. Dustin Burns handles the adult substance cases, and Michelle handles the adult non-substance cases. These are some of the duties of the probation officers: supervision of clients, performance of drug screens, preparation of reports for the court, and maintaining positive relations with service providers, judges, attorneys, and other probationary departments.
Salaries which were substandard prior to 2003 are now similar to those of a public school teacher. Probationers (unless indigent) pay probation users fees which help pay to run the probation department and supplement salaries.
Dresbaugh described a typical day as including court in the morning, sign up for new probationers after court, and appointments with probationers when such things as money, counseling, GED, etc. would be discussed. Michelle likes to ask about a probationer's personal life in order to better understand the client. There is never a boring day. A probation officer has to be able to multi-task effectively and be flexible because plans are often railroaded by something more urgent.
Michelle finds working with probationers with home detention more difficult than working with those with jail time. There are simply more temptations, plus more potential for grief among members of the household (spouse, significant other/ children/ parents). Seventy-five percent of those sentenced to home detention complete the sentence successfully. Most violations are for alcohol or positive drug screens or new charges-----rarely for escape.
Here are a few of the standards one would have to meet to qualify for a position of probation officer in Indiana: 1. A probation officer shall be at least 21 years of age. 2. A probation officer shall be an American citizen. 3. A person who desires to take the examination for prospective probation officers shall have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. 4. A person who submits an application to take the examination for prospective probation officers shall be a person of good moral character.
Once hired, probation officers are required to have 12 hours of Continuing Education every year, plus IRAS/YAS (risk and needs assessment) recertification every 3 years. The probation officer fulfills an important role in helping many individuals find their way in society. You have to admire the officers that can do it well.
Brandt Stum
Kentland Rotary Club