NCJ Number
47761
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 42 Issue: 1 Dated: (MARCH 1978) Pages: 50-52
Date Published
1978
Length
3 pages
Annotation
THE WORK OF THE HENNEPIN COUNTY (MINN.) COURT SERVICES, WHICH ATTEMPTS TO BETTER REACH ITS LOW-INCOME, MINORITY GROUP, MULTIPROBLEM CLIENTS THROUGH ITS NEIGHBORHOOD PROBATION SERVICES, IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
NICKNAMED THE BAKERY BECAUSE OF A FORMER BUILDING TENANT, THE PROJECT IS PART OF A WORKABLE COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS PLAN. THE BAKERY RECEIVES REFERRALS FOR FELONS FROM THE MUNICIPAL COURT AND FOR MISDEMEANANTS FROM THE DISTRICT COURT. MOST OF ITS CLIENTS ARE 18 TO 25 YEARS OF AGE. THE GOALS OF THE PROJECT INCLUDE: THE PROVISION OF EFFECTIVE PROBATION SUPERVISION FOR CLIENTS OF A FORMER MODEL CITY AREA OF MENNEAPOLIS; CREATION AND MAINTENANCE OF EFFECTIVE MEANS OF RECIPROCAL COMMUNICATIONS AMONG THE COURTS, THE AREA AGENCIES, AND THE CLIENTS; IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW APPROACHES AND TREATMENT MODALITIES FOR PROBATION SERVICE DELIVERY; AND ACTIVE SUPPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS AND INTERAGENCY COOPERATION. THE BAKERY DIRECTOR SERVES AS PROJECT COORDINATOR AND SUPERVISOR OF THE FOUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF MEMBERS AND FIVE PARAPROFESSIONALS. THE BULK OF THE WORK INVOLVES COUNSELING, REFERRAL, AND PROVISION OF LEGAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND VOCATIONAL INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE. SMALL GROUP MEETINGS OF PROFESSIONALS AND PARAPROFESSIONALS, AN IMPORTANT FACET OF THE PROJECT'S GROUP SUPERVISION APPROACH, AID STAFF MEMBERS IN RESOLVING ROLE PERCEPTION PROBLEMS AND PERMIT THE SHARING OF CASES, THE CREATION OF NEW PROJECTS, THE LEARNING OF NEW PROCEDURES AND POLICIES, AND STAFF DEVELOPMENT. SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 1972, THE BAKERY HAS EXPANDED, PARTICULARLY THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPECIAL PROJECTS. SUCH SPECIAL PROJECTS INCUDE TWO ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS GROUPS, TWO NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS GROUPS, A DRIVER'S LICENSE PROGRAM, AND A SELF-CONCEPT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM. (JAP)