Community Service

Juveniles are typically assigned 20 hours of community service on each juvenile charge.  Community Service is completed under the supervision of a male and  female Community Service Supervisor.  There are several sites where Community Service takes place including The Holt Arena at Idaho State University, The Bannock County Fairgrounds, the Idaho Food Bank, ISU Daycare, and the Juvenile Detention Center.  Other sites may be used when available. 

Through this program the juveniles will learn how to give back to the community  what they have taken through committing juvenile offenses.

Constructing a Future

“Constructing A Future” is a program designed to aid juveniles on probation in the development of construction related skills and train them for future employment by teaching them responsibility while laboring in a goal oriented environment.  “Constructing A Future” also enables program employees to pay off restitution and court fees.  All income earned by “Constructing A Future” employees goes directly toward these debts.  Those who complete the program are at an advantage in that they have acquired valuable skills that will benefit them throughout their working life and in that they are able to repay the community financially in a timely manner.

The program partners with Pocatello Neighborhood Housing (PNHS) to be able to purchase and sell the homes. The also provide oversight in some cases in regard to code issues and remodeling plans.   PNHS can also assist couples wishing to buy the remodeled homes in getting financing.

School District 25 has a construction class through high school.  They have helped draft the plans of the addition to the most recent home, and plan to possibly help in developing the blueprints for our next home.

Home Detention / Electronic Monitor

Under the standard terms and conditions of Probation, juveniles may be placed on house arrest at the probation officer’s discretion by using the Electronic Monitor Program or the Home Detention Program.  Currently up to ten clients can be supervised on Home Detention and fourteen Electronic Monitors are utilized which allows the use of graduated sanctions regarding incarceration.

Juvenile Sex Offender Group

The Juvenile Sex Offender Group is a community based out-patient program that  treats juveniles dealing with sex offender issues. The program has 4 units that participants progress through sequentially, and must master the clinical issues within each unit prior to moving onto the next. The program includes  risk assessment of juvenile sex offenders, community-based group treatment, family participation, and a monthly wrap-around team meeting.

Parent Orientation

The purpose of the Parent Orientation class is to help parents better understand the role probation plays in the community, the family, and the individual.  Parents are asked to examine their influence in their child’s behavior, and to consider changes that they need to make in an effort to help their child.  The class explains to parents their responsibility in the probation process, and clearly outlines the department’s expectations for cooperation, as well as the possible consequences for noncompliance.

Parents are encouraged to ask questions about the juvenile justice system and policies and procedures of Bannock County Juvenile Justice and Probation.

Restitution

Every effort will be made to see that each victim who has possibly sustained an out of pocket loss will have an opportunity to make a fair and accurate claim for restitution, and to see that each victim is compensated in full for their documented loss.

Shortstop

“Shortstop” is a family program that was developed by members of the Orange  County Bar Foundation in 1978 as a diversion program for first time offenders. In November of 1991, Bannock County purchased the rights from the foundation  to implement the program as an alternative to detention for court ordered youths. The operation of the program is a joint effort between Bannock County Juvenile Justice, the Bannock County Sheriff’s Department and community volunteers.

“Shortstop” is a two session program held on Tuesday nights from 5:45 until 9:00 at the Bannock County Criminal Justice Center.  Each session is facilitated by a trained instructor who volunteers his of her time to the program.

In the first session, offenders are given a dose of “reality therapy”.  They are shown what their life will be like if they continue to commit crimes and become an adult criminal.  In this session, offenders are assigned number and referred to by number through the rest of the session.  They are searched and shackled by jailors and then transported to a holding cell in the facility. Parents are allowed to accompany the juveniles to the holding cell.  Once in the cell, several inmates come in to talk to the kids and their parents about what life is like in jail and the decisions they made that led them to jail.

Afterwards, parents and kids return to the classroom where each offender in  place on the “Hot Seat”.  During this portion of the program, the instructor questions the offenders one at a time about their crimes.  Offenders are prompted to think back about their actions and five ideas of what they could have done differently in the decision making process.

After each juvenile is questioned by the instructor, parents and kids are given a book that has 100 pages of easy to read text and ten homework assignments. The homework assignments include a business interview with a community volunteer  and spending time together with the family, along with other assignments.

In the second session, kids are given name tags instead of number tags.  They  are shown a video entitled “Twice Pardoned”.  After the video, the instructor reviews the homework assignments with the participants by asking for their responses to each assignment.  Kids are able to see how the homework relate to patterns of behavior that lead to success in their lives.

The program concludes with a graduation, since each juvenile is allowed to go through the program only once.

Victim Offender Mediation/Victim Impact Panel

Victims of property crimes will be given an opportunity to participate in the accountability area of the juvenile’s case plan through either victim offender mediation or a victim impact panel. Referrals to the program can be made by the Restitution Officer, and/or Probation Officers.

Thinking for a Change

“Thinking For A Change” (TFAC) is a 10 to 12 week class that is taught twice a week. Classes are taught at the school by the Probation Officers. TFAC is taught with two main components: Social Skills and Cognitive Self Change. The first three sessions teach the student show to listen and communicate better with others. The next five lessons teach the skill of cognitive self change. Cognitive self change is designed to help the students recognize their thought patterns and”risky” thoughts or beliefs that often lead to making poor choices and getting into trouble. The students are taught to replace their”risky thinking” with new thinking which should lead to new outcomes.The cognitive self change component is followed by four more social skill lessons.

Family Mediation

Family Mediation is a solution-focused technique to reduce conflict in the home between family members. Sessions are facilitated by trained mediators, and results in a contract or agreement signed by all participants.

Intensive Supervision Program

The Intensive Supervision Program (ISP) deals with the most high-risk youth. It is the desire of the staff that the youth’s time in this program be productive. Our program goals include:

• Providing a means to hold the youth accountable for their actions by being on time, going to their appointments, managing their time and meeting daily obligations.
• Offering ways for the youth to develop skills in education and pre-vocational areas by working with computers, dealing in public relations, practicing proper social etiquette, cooking, cleaning, money management, practicing job interviews, resume writing and substance abuse education. We also tour the community to expose the youth to different areas of career possibilities. This includes ISU Vo-Tech, the fire department and paramedics, banks, stock brokerage offices, insurance companies, radio and T.V. stations and various other businesses. We distribute a monthly newsletter in which everyone has a part. This ranges from editorials, art -work, poems, photographs and selling advertising. Once a week we go out and perform community service. We do trash pickup, painting, cleaning, sandbagging, etc.
• Addressing areas of special needs through group processing and community providers. The includes utilizing sports, conflict management, smoking cessation and working on self-esteem.

The educational backgrounds of the youth in this program vary from elementary to high school. They work at these different levels on history, math, writing,science and literature. Some take and pass their G.E.D. tests and others are reinstated into school.

For many of these youth, this program is an alternative State’s custody. For others it is a transition from State’s custody back into the community. The program is committed to providing the youth with an opportunity to develop the skills they will need to become productive members of our community.

Juvenile Drug Court

The Bannock County Juvenile Drug Court utilized a team approach to address the challenges presented by chronic juvenile substance abusers. Members of the team include the Juvenile Drug Court Judge, a deputy prosecutor, a deputy public defender, probation officer, treatment providers, and the Juvenile Drug Court Coordinator.

Participants progress through 3 program phases. The first phase requires the juvenile to attend Drug Court weekly. Participants are graduated to Phase 2 when they have had five straight weeks of remaining clean and sober and have met all other treatment goals. Participants in Phase 2 attend every other week for 3 months. When participants successfully complete Phase 2 by remaining clean and sober and meeting treatment goals, they graduate to Phase 3. Participants in Phase 3 attend Drug Court once each month. They fully graduate the program by remaining clean and sober and meeting the treatment goals for Phase 3. More information on the Bannock County 6th District Court Page.

Exhibit B
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PROBATION CONTRACT

Click here for a printable copy of “Exhibit B” form to sign and submit

Any juvenile offenders and their parent(s)/guardian(s) placed on probation shall abide by the following terms and conditions.  If the minor or parent(s)/guardian(s) violates any term of probation, he/she may be required to do any or all of the following:

1. 1. Serve jail or detention time, home detention or electronic monitor (with fee payment).
   2. Do 20 additional community service hours for each violation.
   3. Attend additional classes.
   4. Have probation time extended or raised to a higher level.
   5. Pay for positive drug tests.

If the parent(s)/guardian(s) of the minor allow, encourage, participate in, or do not report probation violations or violation of Exhibit “C” Order to the Juvenile Probation Officer, an Order to Show Cause hearing will be scheduled before the Juvenile Judge.  At the Order to Show Cause hearing, the State has the burden to prove beyond a preponderance of the evidence that the parents/guardians have violated the terms of Probation.  Possible sanctions for a contempt conviction include: a $1,000.00 fine; up to five (5) days in jail for each violation; and /or additional classes or to be charged with the crime of contempt.  See Idaho Code §§ 20-522; 18-1801.

THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY TO ALL PROBATIONERS:

The Juvenile shall:

A.  Maintain contact with your probation officer and obtain the officer’s written consent to move or leave the State of Idaho.  If your address changes, these rules apply to the new residence as well.

B.   Avoid any contact with individuals not approved of by your probation officer and your parent(s)/guardian.

C.  Abide by Probation’s curfew which is to be no later than:  Sunday-Thursday – 10:00 PM; Friday and Saturday- 11:30 PM.

D.  Follow all the rules at home and school.

E.  Attend school every day unless you have a physician’s excuse.  Truancies are reported to your probation officer and may constitute a new juvenile offense.  Parent(s)/guardian(s) is responsible to work cooperatively with school officials, which includes attending parent/teacher conferences, and other meetings requested by teachers or school administration.  Parent(s)/guardian(s) are expected to be actively engaged in the education of the juvenile.  Your probation officer will have access to your report cards and attendance records.

F.  Not go to any school or school event where you are not registered without permission of your probation officer.  If you are found on such school grounds, you may be charged with trespassing.

G.  Obey the law and not use or possess any illegal narcotics, paraphernalia, or prescription medication.

H.  Not use or possess alcohol, any form of tobacco, pornography, sexually explicit or violent materials, including music, or any weapons, including BB guns, pocket knives, slingshots, and razor blades.  You may not be at any place outside your home where any of these items are being used.

I.   Have a parent or legal guardian with you at all times when you are in retail stores, and never enter any stores that have trespassed you.  If you do enter such stores, you may be charged with trespassing.  You may not enter any store property where an offense occurred.

J.   Pay Juvenile Justice $25.00 for each month you are on probation.  Payments are due on the last day of the month.

K.   Not spend any nights away from home unless accompanied by parent or guardian.

L.   Probation must be aware of all permanent residents in the home and be notified of any other individuals in the home past midnight.

Restitution: If the court orders any restitution paid to the juvenile offender’s victim and the juvenile and/or the parent(s) /guardian(s) object to the amount ordered, they may request a Restitution Hearing.  The juvenile and/or the parent(s)/guardian(s) must provide the court written notice of their objection within twenty (20) days of the restitution order.  A failure to do so makes the restitution order final.  Parent(s)/guardian(s) are legally responsible for paying any restitution that the juvenile fails to pay.Restitution shall be paid to:

Bannock County Courthouse, Bonds & Fines
624 E. Center, Room 220
Pocatello, Idaho, 83201

If the court terminates probation or the juvenile or the parent(s)/guardian(s) fail to obey the restitution order, the court may convert the restitution order to a civil judgment for the unpaid balance against the juvenile and the parent(s)/guardian(s) who are designated in the restitution order.

Home Detention: The probation officer may require the juvenile offender to remain at home at all times unless he/she is at school and/or work.  The probation officer may use an electronic monitor while the juvenile is on home detention.  A daily fee for the monitor is charged.

Community Service: A juvenile offender must perform twenty (20) hours of community service for each offense.  The probation officer has discretion to suspend hours as he/she deems appropriate.  If in school, the juvenile shall perform twenty (20) hours per month.  If not in school, the juvenile shall perform forty (40) hours per month. The juvenile and the parent(s)/guardian(s) shall pay $.60 per hour for workmen’s compensation coverage.  The fee shall be paid to: Bannock County Courthouse, Bonds & Fines, 624 E. Center, Room 220, Pocatello, Idaho, 83201.  If the fee is not paid, Bannock County may obtain a civil judgment against the juvenile and the parents/guardians.

Classes: A juvenile offender and the parents/guardians shall attend, participate in, and complete all ordered classes and programs at the scheduled date and time.

Law Violations: A juvenile offender and the parents/guardians shall not encourage, participate in, or commit any act that constitutes a violation of the laws of the United States, Idaho, or its cities.  A juvenile and/or the parent(s)/guardian(s) who violate the  law may be charged criminally for the violation.  The probation officer may also file a probation violation and seeking contempt sanctions against the juvenile and/or the juvenile’s parents.

Warrantless Home Checks and Searches:  The juvenile and parent(s) or guardian(s) are ordered by the Court to maintain a crime-free home and property.  The home and property must be free from illegal items including:  drugs, prohibited intoxicating substances, weapons, pornography, stolen property, drug paraphernalia and gang paraphernalia.  All of the home, outbuildings, property, vehicles, school lockers, and bags may be searched without a warrant.  A juvenile offender and the parents/guardians shall submit to periodic unannounced and warrantless home checks and searches by probation officers at any time and without probable cause.  During such home checks, a law enforcement officer may assist the probation officer for the probation officer’s safety.  No unapproved juveniles or adults may spend the night in the home.  Probation officers, along with a law enforcement officer, may, at their discretion, search the juvenile’s and the parents/guardians home, secured rooms, safes, grounds, outbuildings, vehicles, and/or school locker without obtaining a search warrant.  The juvenile and the parents/guardians specifically waive their constitutional right to be free from such searches.

Detention Costs: A juvenile offender and the parents/guardians shall pay $50.00 for each day the juvenile is in detention.  Probation officers have discretion to decrease or waive this fee if the juvenile and the parents/guardians are complying with probation.

Probation Officer’s Discretion: When necessary a probation officer may order the juvenile offender and/or the parents/guardians to complete any of the following:

A.  Individual, group, or family counseling
B.  Alcohol/drug evaluations and counseling
C.  Random drug/alcohol testing within 24 hours of the probation officer’s request
D.  Victim Offender Mediation
E.  Parent Orientation/Parent Project/Strengthening Families
F.  Additional community service (juvenile only)

Click here for a printable copy of “Exhibit B” form to sign and submit