Probation Department
The Morrow County Probation Department is broken up into two sub sessions, Juvenile Probation and Adult Probation
The adult probation program is a direct result of the passing of Senate Bill 2. Senate Bill 2 states that local problems are to be taken care of locally and not at the state level. When this Bill came into law, Morrow County took the opportunity to secure funding in the form of a grant through the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. This grant allows for the funding of two probation officers who supervise those individuals placed on Community Control Sanctions (Probation).
At the time of sentencing, the Judge will require a defendant to perform certain requirements as a condition of their community control, this could include but is not limited to; drug and alcohol counseling, mental health counseling, anger management, restitution repayment, etc. It is the job of the Probation Officers to make appropriate referrals and then follow up and verify that individuals on Community Control are following there rules and fulfilling their obligations.
Probation Officers have monthly office visits with those individuals under supervision. However, it is important that probation officers meet with their clients outside of the office. This allows the Probation Officers to see what is taking place in the lives of those that they are required to supervise. This is done by visiting the client at home, their place of employment, or at treatment agencies. If a Probation Officer is able to see the inside of a client's house, they can have a better understanding of the life of the client. This also allows them to search for alcohol, drugs, or other contraband that those under supervision are not allowed to have.
Probation Officers work various hours, evenings, weekends, etc. This is necessary to be where the client is. It is not efficient to go to a clients home when he is a work, therefore the Probation Officers are required to adjust their schedules accordingly so they can make contact with their clients after normal office hours.
Juvenile Probation is the counterpart to the Adult Probation. In 2004, the Morrow County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division received INSERT AMOUNT from the Morrow County Commissioners to run the Juvenile Court system. The remaining monies were received from the Department of Youth Services RECLAIM grant. These monies are paid to a county in an effort to deter youth from being sentenced to the Department of Youth Services. The more juveniles that are referred to DYS, the less funding you receive.
Morrow County is considered a free county by DYS since all of the juvenile adjudications (juveniles found to be guilty of a crime) makes up less than one percent of the total adjudications for the state. This is something that has been watched very closely due to the increase of juvenile cases and overall population of Morrow County.
Currently, the Morrow County Court of Common Pleas employs two juvenile probation officers to oversee those juveniles that have been referred to probation.
Juvenile Probation much like Adult Probation requires juveniles that have been placed on probation to have regular contact with the Probation staff. This involves office visits, school visits, home visits, etc. The unique aspect of Juvenile Probation is that there is more involvement with the family than that of Adult Probation. This allows the Probation Officers the opportunity to help the family to deal with any problems that they may encounter. The Probation Officers are required to make necessary referrals to treatment agencies, as well as verify compliance with the rules and conditions of probation as set forth by the Judge or Magistrate.