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County Community Corrections resumes local role in Eighth Judicial District treatment court
Summary
Kandiyohi County Community Corrections has taken back local probation responsibilities for the Eighth Judicial District treatment court from the state Department of Corrections; the program remains an intensive, stage‑based drug court with close monitoring.
KANDIYOHl COUNTY, Minn. — The board received an update Feb. 4 from Kandiyohi County Community Corrections on the Eighth Judicial District Treatment Court, including a recent shift in supervision responsibility from the Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) back to county probation staff.
Tammy Jo Lieberg, director of Community Corrections, and probation officer John Petrone summarized the program. Petrone said the court serves high‑risk, high‑needs participants in an intensive, stage‑based program that requires frequent contact, frequent drug testing and team‑based treatment and supervision. He said participants typically remain in the program at least a year and progress through multiple stages; earlier stages require treatment and multiple weekly contacts, while later stages reduce contact frequency.
Lieberg explained the county stepped back into a larger supervisory role within the past six months after DOC reduced involvement because of funding changes. The county will now supply the probation officer supervision and capture program statistics going forward; Lieberg said that will allow the county to begin tracking outcomes and evidence‑based measures in the coming months. She said the program also partners with Meeker County and the treatment court team includes the judge, an attorney for participants, social workers and treatment providers.
Board members praised the program and noted that graduates often report extended periods of sobriety and marked life changes. The presentation included no formal board action.
Why it matters: Treatment court is an intensive supervision option for people with substance‑use disorders who are placed on probation; staff and commissioners said the program reduces recidivism and community costs by focusing on treatment, testing and judicial oversight.
What’s next: Community Corrections will begin keeping program statistics under county supervision and will continue to coordinate with judicial partners.
