The Probation consists of an Adult Probation Officer and an Intensive Supervision Probation Officer. The Probation Department’s mission is to ensure timely compliance with the terms and conditions imposed by the Judge on persons convicted of misdemeanor or traffic offenses, and, if possible, to rehabilitate the offender.
The Intensive Supervision Probation program for Norwalk Municipal Court provides active supervision for misdemeanant offenders with the goal of reducing recividism rates among target offenders and diverting those offenders from lengthy incarceration at the local jail. Each offender placed on ISP will have individualized case plans and goals as determined by the results of the Ohio Risk Assessment System – Community Supervision Tool. Each offender will then be referred to the appropriate external agencies and in house cognitive behavioral programming to address moderate and high need domains. The target population to be served is moderate to very high risk offenders who need a higher level of supervision than what Active Probation provides.
Intensive Supervision Probation Officer - Aaron C. Ritchie (419) 663-6779
Mission Statement - The mission of Norwalk Municipal Drug Court is to utilize a therapeutic continuum/comprehensive approach to substance abuse treatment by assisting individuals, whose drug/alcohol abuse has led to their involvement in the criminal justice system, to become sober, responsible, productive members of the community.
Participant goals include reducing criminal activity, identifying thinking errors and improving decision making skills, eliminating substance abuse, providing coping techniques, enhancing employment skills, identifying community support resources, increasing social skills, enhancing self-esteem and self-motivation, and developing a relapse prevention plan. The program is designed to provide intensive probation supervision and intensive outpatient treatment to chemically dependent individuals that have been diagnosed by a licensed clinical counselor, social worker, psychologist or psychiatrist.
Active Probation is an intermediate program between Intensive Supervision Probation and Standard non-reporting probation. Offenders report on a monthly basis and are required to comply with all orders of the Court.
Active Probation Officer - Evan M. Lloyd (419) 663-8974
Cognitive Behavioral Groups focus on the thinking process we all use to talk ourselves into, and out of, certain behaviors or decisions. This is NOT counseling; these groups help you understand how your actions have resulted in a “not-so-desirable” consequence.
We aim to improve offenders’ ability to juggle the stressors encountered while reintegrating into society. Graduates will gain knowledge and demonstrate skills which will assist in high risk areas including family & peer relations, employment, and criminal thinking.
PATHYS is aimed toward helping offenders succeed in living crime free lifestyles. Juggling group attendance around work and family lives is a common hurdle. To help our group members work around this, many of our groups are available day and evening hours to assist you in managing your schedule.
Our program is built to become progressively flexible as group members begin to show responsibility and effort in leading a crime free lifestyle. Group members are awarded with autonomy of controlling their schedule.
Most groups are separated by gender to help you focus on yourself.
Opportunities to “pay it forward” are available for group graduates who would like to share their story in order to help other people involved in the criminal justice system.
Cognitive Skills Coordinator - Frank Bolda (419) 663-8983
These one hour groups are held two times per month in morning and afternoon sessions and are general information sessions for individuals who have been referred to Theft, Anger Management and Pathys programming. Orientation is mandatory prior to other classes.
(12, 2 Hour Sessions) Learning to effectively manage anger through the use of self-awareness and self-control techniques.
(1, 3 Hour Session) Learning to identify how your thinking and feelings play a part in behavior which results in theft charges.
(3 Additional 2-Hour Sessions following Theft: First Offender) An in-depth look at the thought process and consequences surrounding theft. Provides tools of identifying risk and understanding how your actions affect other people.
(4, 2-Hour Sessions) The entry point program designed to help offenders prepare for long term change. Offenders will practice paying attention to thinking, recognizing risk, and developing & using new thinking.
(10-15, 2 Hour Sessions) Provides tools to strengthen skills in areas which include: Dealing with criminal history, Managing employment/finances, Strengthening family support, Understanding substance use and abuse, Building peer support, Identifying and replacing risky thinking.