Staff writer
What would it be like to be a probation officer?
Jo Olsen of Lincolnville knows. She is the Marion County Community Corrections Officer for the Eighth Judicial District.
She has served in community corrections for almost five years. After obtaining an associate degree in criminal justice, she worked as a secretary for Community Corrections in Junction City for three years.
She decided to pursue a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice when she saw the need for a homegrown probation officer in Marion County.
“I saw what other officers were doing, and I wanted to help,” she said.
She has been serving in Marion County for two years and is working on her master’s degree.
Olsen and a fellow officer, Andrea Taylor of Dickinson County, recently presented a report of their activities and responsibilities to members of the Marion County Interagency Team.
The Eighth Judicial District Community Corrections program was established in 1992 in Geary County and spread to the other counties in the District — Marion, Morris, and Dickinson.
It is primarily funded by Kansas Department of Corrections, the Kansas Juvenile Justice Authority. An advisory board oversees the program.
Olsen works together with Judge Michael Powers, the court clerk, law enforcement officers, and her superiors in Community Corrections.
The goal of Community Corrections is just as its name implies: To correct illegal behavior by holding clients accountable in the community and providing appropriate interventions to help them, thereby promoting public safety.
As a probation officer, Olsen provides intensive supervision of high-risk clients and repeat offenders. They report to her at her office in the courthouse on a regular basis.
Clients must be employed, enrolled as full-time students, or actively seeking jobs.
For those seeking jobs, Olsen assists in filling out applications, writing resumes, and preparing for interviews. She also advises them on how to dress properly, if needed.
Clients on probation are required to meet many conditions, as determined by the judge, including remaining drug or alcohol free, not associating with other offenders, and performing community service.
Olsen often works with teen-agers. She operates as a case manager for the Juvenile Justice Authority when Judge Michael Powers places local juveniles under its custody.
She assists with placing offenders in a youth home such as Youthville at Newton if they cannot stay at home, and she travels to see them on a regular basis. The goal is to bring them back home as soon as possible.
She also visits young offenders in their homes and works with parents or other family members who are responsible for or care about them.
“My goal is to help the kids — find out what’s needed and try to provide it,” she said.
She noted the number one issue facing juvenile offenders is a lack of social skills and activities. She encourages them to become more “pro-social” by getting them involved in extra-curricular activities and interacting with other people. Sometimes it’s a matter of finding out their interests and helping them pursue their interests.
The most common offenses in Marion County, Olsen said, are drug abuse, felony theft, and sexual abuse.
She arranges classes for her clients in anger management, drug/alcohol abuse, and parenting. Clients who need it pay $300 for mandated drug/alcohol treatment. They are challenged to take charge of their lives and be responsible for their futures.
“We provide the tools but it’s up to them to use them,” Olsen said. “They are responsible for their own lives. Some want to be successful, and some just want to get off probation.”
Of the successful ones she said, “It’s amazing to watch someone grow from where he was to what he can become.”
Bob Maxwell of Marion, a member of the Community Corrections advisory board, praised Olsen and her fellow workers for their dedication.
“They don’t know what they are going to encounter,” he said. “If they (other corrections officers) aren’t dedicated, they don’t stay very long.”
Olsen said members of the community need to treat people on probation like regular people.
“They need to be given an opportunity to change,” she said.
On Dec. 14, a public meeting will be held to present information about establishing a Community Resource Panel for Marion County. The panel will consist of community members who will hear from clients of Community Corrections and suggest resources to help them.
“My supervisor has always told me that Community Corrections is a tough field,” Olsen said. “There are not a lot of thank yous, but sometimes underdogs need an advocate, too.”