Wednesday's Internet Edition, March 10, 2010.

Amy Barton (seated) and director Jeanette Easthom prepare for clients from Roane and Jackson at the Jackson County Day Report Center in Ripley. Photo by David Hedges

Roane joined the Jackson County Day Report Center this month, which gives circuit judges and magistrates another alternative in sentencing.

The Jackson County center, on Main Street in Ripley across from the courthouse, is also new, only opening in November.

It is part of the Wood County Day Report Center, which has been around since 2004.

Regional Director Jeff Williams said the facility operated by the Wood County Commission is one of 18 day report centers in the state.

He said it gives counties a way to cut their jail expenses while also reducing the problem of repeat offenders.

He said the center has a success rate of more than 53 percent.

“That’s a pretty good ratio,” Williams said, comparing it to a recidivism rate for those sentenced to jail he said is 80-85 percent.

“It’s a good alternative,” Roane prosecuting attorney Josh Downey said. “And it seems to be successful in every county I know of.”

Williams said the program is not open to persons convicted of violent offenses or sex crimes.

“If someone is charged with murder or 1st degree robbery, they are not going to go to a day report center,” Downey said. “If it’s a non-violent crime like shoplifting or petit larceny, they may well go to a day report center.”

The Roane County Commission agreed to a 90-day trial that is costing the county $300 per month. Under the agreement, the county is limited to 15 participants.

Williams said the day report centers rely mainly on three revenue sources, including grants from the state. The others are fees paid by clients based on their income, but no more than $60 per month, and fees charged to public and private agencies that use the center’s drug screening lab.

The Wood County center has two 15-passenger vans and transportation is being provided between Spencer and the center in Ripley three days a week for those who need it. Participants may also arrange for their own transportation.

An assessment is done before a client is admitted to the program to determine their needs.

Williams said programs are offered to combat domestic violence, as well as three levels of substance abuse that range from meetings three times a week to once a week.

The center can also oversee work release and community service programs as well as provide a complete range of drug testing.

The staff includes a director, counselors and case managers, clerical staff and interns. They work with the courts and prosecutor’s offices, probation and parole departments and home confinement officers.

Clients may be sent to a day report center by a circuit judge, either as a direct sentence or as a condition of probation, home incarceration or pre-trial release, or by a magistrate as a direct sentence or condition of bond or home confinement. Referrals can also come from a prosecutor as part of a diversion agreement, from a family law judge or the Dept. of Health and Human Resources or an order by the federal Bureau of Prisons or state Dept. of Corrections as part of a re-entry program.

Williams would like to see the 90-day arrangement with Roane County extended.

“We hope officials in Roane County realize it is cutting the cost of their jail bills and helping to stop recidivism,” he said.

“If we’re helping people from re-offending, that’s saving everyone in the long run,” Downey said.

Downey said circuit judges and magistrates have already sent people to the day report center as part of their sentences, a trend he said would likely continue.

“It gives us a lot of options, which is one thing I like about it,” he said.

He said the cost, especially when compared to jail, is a welcome change.

“To keep one person in the regional jail costs about $1,500 a month,” he said. “With this program we can put 15 people in a day report center for $300.”