The work of Community-based supervision and Corrections is often misunderstood or misrepresented. And it is ever changing.
Probation is a concept born almost 200 years ago, based on Massachusetts cobbler John Augustus’ belief that there was a better way to address behavioral deviance and violation of social norms; that rehabilitative justice could have a greater impact on individuals, communities and recidivism than retributive justice through punishment alone. It came from a belief that communities thrive when all its residents thrive and that in order to truly thrive humans need connection, safety and skills.
In the times since, probation has continued to expand in service delivery, impact and prevalence. It has been researched and expanded. In Minnesota, almost 90% of individuals under correctional control are on probation. In the last reported statistics in 2023, that was 89,000 people across the state.
Minnesota has the fifth highest rate of the use of probation in the nation and one of the lowest incarceration rates, making the work of the Community Corrections professionals all the more important and impactful to communities.
Probation is more than just enforcement of court orders and conditions. Community Corrections staff meet people where they are in life. They treat people with dignity and respect, regardless of the reasons they are working with us. They assess people’s strengths and risk factors and help individuals learn to utilize their pro-social strengths to overcome challenges and barriers to success.
They help people rebuild their lives. They provide accountability and they increase public safety.
This week we celebrate Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week. This year’s theme is Heroes Behind the Mission, changing lives and enhancing public safety.
Rice County’s Community Corrections staff are truly heroes behind the mission. They are the ones who are changing lives and enhancing public safety in our communities
These heroes:
• Provide 1:1 behavioral and skill building interventions
• Facilitate skill building groups
• Inform the court process through pre-sentence investigations, pre-trial release evaluations and ongoing progress reports
• Work with compassion with crime victims and survivors of violence
• Respond to violations and noncompliant behavior
• Work through resistance to motivate individuals to grow, change and succeed
• Promote recovery and community connections
• Conduct community and home visits and work with local law enforcement at community events to engage the community
• Partner with the community to provide wraparound services and opportunities
• Plant seeds for future change and growth
This week, I ask all Rice County residents to join me in acknowledging and celebrating the work and commitment of our community supervision professionals and those across the nation.
These dedicated individuals show up every day, committed to the mission of our work, to the communities they serve and to excellence in all they do.
-- Angela Brewer has worked in Community Corrections for 30 years and is currently Rice County‘s Community Corrections Manager. Reach her at 507-332-6294.
