Community Corrections officials describe services, outcomes and training grants

Michelle from DeKalb County Community Corrections explained the unit’s mission and program components to the County Council, emphasizing sentencing alternatives, treatment‑oriented supervision and reentry supports.

"Our purpose is to provide a sentencing alternative for the court," Michelle said, describing electronic monitored home detention, a residential work facility, pretrial supervision and alcohol monitoring options. She provided case examples showing interventions — housing, treatment connections and case management — and cited contact metrics (for one case: 6 drug screens, 23 home contacts, 40 hours of community service and nearly 300 contact notes over 80 days) to illustrate the intensity of supervision.

Ryan Hall, treatment courts coordinator, told council that national treatment‑court graduation rates above 60% are considered strong and reported local graduation rates of about 65% for the addiction treatment court, 81% for family recovery court and 86% for veterans treatment court. Hall said the grants under discussion are carryover funds the state allowed the county to appropriate for travel to a national conference focused on problem‑solving courts.

Council members asked about cost savings and recidivism measures; staff said quantifying savings is complex but pointed to avoided housing and medical costs when defendants serve in community corrections rather than county jail. Members praised program outcomes and encouraged staff to provide more concrete cost‑savings figures for budget deliberations.

The council approved appropriations for training travel tied to these treatment courts.