A day of work at 104 Border Street in Orange might include overseeing someone give a urine sample, checking a breath test, or going before a judge. But for officers with the Orange County Adult Probation Department, it’s a worthwhile job to help people get their lives together after committing a crime.
“Our No. 1 duty is to help them get back on track,” said Adult Probation Director Jayme Culbertson.
And when an offender finishes all the terms of probation, Culbertson likes to say “hope we don’t see you again.” Well, except at the store, she adds.
A judge or jury decides whether an offender deserves a chance to stay out of jail or prison. Even if a jury decides probation, the judge sets the terms and each offender is assigned a probation officer to make sure the offender meets the judge’s rules.
Culbertson said the department handles all state felony probation cases plus the Class A and B misdemeanors from the county courts-at-law. Currently, the department has 928 felony offenders and 532 misdemeanor offenders.
In addition, the department oversees the bond terms set by the four county justices of the peace. All people accused of second, or more, offense DWI must have an ignition interlock device installed on their vehicle while they are out of jail under a bond. The device tests the driver’s breath and the ignition will not start if the person has alcohol on his breath.
The probation department keeps up with the information on the devices to see if the person’s breath failed to start the car or if the device has been tampered.
Drug and alcohol use often lead to the crimes the probationers commit, Culbertson said. All judges prohibit drug and alcohol use as part of the conditions of probation, which can last as long as 10 years for a felony.
According to the fiscal year 2016-17, the Orange County Adult Probation Department had 29.7 percent of its cases as “property crimes” like burglaries and thefts. Culbertson said drug or alcohol use is usually the root cause for stealing.
The second highest category for probation was possession of a controlled substance with 28.6 percent. The percentages also include DWI at 17.3 percent and violent crimes 17.5 percent.
For offenders with drug or alcohol problems, the probation officers try to get them help, but money is limited. Culbertson said the department has contracts with two out-patient and two in-patient treatment facilities.
The county has a yearly grant of $108,654 to provide treatment for offenders who qualify. Last year, 86 offenders used the out-patient services and 14 were placed for in-patient care.
All offenders face random drug and alcohol testing as part of their probation. The urine tests might be conducted during a regularly scheduled visit, or the probation department can call them in for a test at any time.
Probation officers must supervise the urine tests to make sure they are correctly done and not faked. “It’s the least favorite part of the job,” Culbertson said.
The state made it a misdemeanor offense for a probationer to fake a drug test. Probation officers have in the past found a “whizzinator” device to fill with someone else’s “clean” urine.
Deputy Director Brandon Roberts concentrates on another part of the probation department, the pre-sentence investigation. Judge’s order a pre-sentence report before placing an offender on probation.
“The pre-sentence investigator helps make recommendations to judges on whether the offender is suitable for probation,” he said.
The report includes investigation of the person’s background, family, employment and includes an interview. He said sometimes the report shows the person should not be on probation and needs to be in jail or prison. He considers that part of the job as helping to protect the community from people who should not be out.
The department has 22 employees and a budget of $1.23 million. Last year, the department collected $162,472 in court-ordered restitution to victims, and $429,328 in court-ordered fees which cover attorney and court costs, plus fines. In addition, the offenders paid a little more than $12,000 to the local Crime Stoppers of Southeast Texas.
Many of the offenders must do community service as part of their probation. The officers keep track of the hours worked at several Orange County non-profit charities. Culbertson said some people qualify to pay the charities instead of physically working. Last year, the probationers had 21,777 hours of community service and $13,980 was given to the charities.
The department also is involved in the pre-trial diversion program set up by the Orange County district attorney. It allows a person like a college student arrested for misdemeanor marijuana possession to complete a program and have her record expunged.
In addition to all the testing, collecting, and researching, probation officers spend time with offenders. Some offenders come report in person every two weeks, while others can go three months without having to meet with their officer. The officers work to provide encouragement for the offenders to finish their sentences successfully.
“It’s a lot, but I have a great team that works for me and we get it all done,” Culbertson said.
Adult Probation is a quasi-state agency and is overseen by the state district judges, Culbertson said. The judges keep the employees in the department under the same holiday and vacation benefits as the county.
Probation is not to be confused with the state parole department, which oversees offenders who have served time in prison and been released.
Culbertson started working in the department in 2009. She said she knew when she was in college she wanted a career where she could help people. After graduation, she met with the head of the probation department and fell in love with the job officers do. When a vacancy came open, she applied and got the position.
Even though she calls it a “thankless job,” the benefits come when an offender completes the probation and leaves supervision with a new chance.
And sometimes, a former probationer appreciates the job the officers do. Culbertson has a few “Thank You” cards on a bookshelf and she’s proud of one gift.
A woman who had drug and alcohol problems managed to complete probation and start a new life. She sent Culbertson a letter and included her five-year chip from AA. It’s a present Culbertson cherishes.
-Margaret Toal, KOGT-
Photo: Culbertson with Deputy Director Brandon Roberts
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