Specialized Probation Services

The Clinton County Probation Department uses a variety of specialized intermediate sanctions in an effort to maintain the community’s safety and promote accountability of probationers being supervised. 

Curfew Monitoring

Curfew monitoring is offered as a condition of probation or Pre-Trial Release supervision to the Courts who have ordered a curfew for certain offenders. This tool acts as an alternative to incarceration by allowing certain low-risk offenders to be supervised in the community and also allows the offender to maintain employment, education, treatment, etc. This monitoring is provided through a contract with Behavioral Interventions (BI). The system is an Internet based curfew calling, designed to verify compliance of the offender by interactive voice response technology. This provides the Probation Department with a monitoring database which confirms that the offender is at the location required at any given time during the day. This particular system is used primarily to monitor evening curfews.

In October of 1994, the Clinton County Probation Department began using electronic home monitoring as an alternative to incarceration. Throughout the years technology in this area has improved dramatically. In 2007 we added passive GPS technology as a means of electronic home monitoring. These services are provided through a contract with BI.(See the links section for more information on BI products.) Electronic Monitoring units contain a home based unit which is set up through a land-line telephone and an ankle bracelet the probationer must wear at all times. GPS units contain a home based unit, an ankle bracelet, and a GPS transmitter which must be worn on a belt whenever outside of a fixed residence. The GPS unit allows an offender’s movements to be tracked over a twenty-four hour period.  The technology with each of these units includes tamper-resistant warnings in all of the devices to alert the Probation Department if an offender is attempting to disable the device in any way.

When considering a probationer for electronic monitoring/GPS, he/she must meet the following criteria:

Basic electronic monitoring restricts a probationer’s movement, while still allowing them to attend work, school, self-help meetings, alcohol/drug treatment, or mental health counseling. Electronic monitoring also benefits the community through monetary savings in incarceration costs. The current cost to Clinton County taxpayers to incarcerate an individual at the Clinton County Jail is $86.00/day.  The cost of Electronic Monitoring is $5.00/day and the cost of the passive GPS is $6.00/day; however, it is the responsibility of the probationer to pay these costs.

Probation officers frequently make unannounced home visits at the probationer’s residence to observe the environment and conditions. During these field contacts, if a probationer is prohibited from consuming alcohol as a term of his/her probation, he/she will be given a handheld breathalyzer test, along with the conduction of a physical search for alcohol in the residence.

New alcohol monitoring technology allows probation officers to monitor sobriety of probationers with the use of the Behavioral Interventions (BI) Trans-Dermal Alcohol Detector (TAD).  The BI TAD uses advanced transdermal detectors strapped to the ankle to monitor alcohol metabolites in perspiration to determine the Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of the client 24 hours per day.  The BI TAD is an effective method of monitoring a probationer’s compliance and progress with the terms of their probation as established by the Court and can be used to assist in the treatment of probationers with alcohol problems.

The BI TAD sends alerts if the unit is removed or tampered with, so the probation officer can respond accordingly. The probationer’s BAC reading is reported to a monitoring computer over telephone lines or cellular technology.  If the BI TAD detected alcohol or the equipment has been tampered with, the supervising probation officer is notified. 

The probationer’s financial responsibility for the daily cost of the BI TAD is $7.50/day for standard and $9.50/day for the cellular unit.  The TAD can be used in conjunction with the Electronic Monitoring system and will cost $8.80/day.  The TAD is used as a supervision tool and graduated sanction which allows probationers to remain in the community where they can remain employed and also receive substance abuse treatment, while at the same time monitoring any alcohol consumption.

The Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) unit of the Clinton County Probation Department specializes in supervising offenders sentenced to probation supervision as a result of either a felony or misdemeanor DWI conviction. Terms and conditions of probation supervision often include abstinence from alcohol/drugs, no use of motor vehicles, and mandatory substance abuse evaluation/treatment. The probationer is expected to follow all treatment recommendations and complete the program satisfactorily.

All individuals sentenced to crimes of this nature are subject to mandatory fines set by the Court, in addition to local supervision fees of $30.00 per month. Routine home visits and drug/alcohol testing are conducted by the probation officers.

The Probation Department works collaboratively with the Clinton County STOP-DWI Program and requires each probationer to attend a Victim’s Impact Panel.

Ignition Interlock devices are alcohol detection devices that are installed in an automobile and require the driver of the vehicle to breathe into a device in order for their vehicle to start. This allows an offender to maintain transportation needs such as family obligations, employment, and other responsibilities.

If a breath sample is not provided or exceeds the Ignition Interlock’s preset blood alcohol level, the vehicle will not start. This gives the Probation Department the ability to monitor an offender who has the ability to possess a driver’s license to ensure that they do not drive their vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. The device will allow the motor vehicle to start when there is no positive BAC reading and will at random times require another breath from the driver. During these random screenings, if no breath sample is provided or the BAC reading is higher than the preset level, an alarm will sound until the ignition is turned off. The interlock device will not turn off the engine if alcohol is detected because this could create an unsafe driving situation.

The probationer is financially responsible for the installation and maintenance costs of the Ignition Interlock device. These fees are variable based on the vendor/installer that is used.