Court Recidivism Reduction Programs
For the purposes of the Community Corrections and Justice Reinvestment Grants:
Established under the authority of IC 33-23-16, must be certified by the IOCS, meet any criteria set forth by IOCS, and funding is recommended and approved by the Community Corrections Advisory Board
For additional information, please visit the Indiana Office of Court Services Problem Solving Court Information
Definition
A Court Recidivism Reduction Programs refers to a certified court program under the authority of IC 33-23-16. These programs provide an immediate and highly structured judicial intervention for high needs offenders who could not be adequately addressed in a traditional court setting.
As defined by IC 33-23-16, they include the following:
- drug court
- mental health court;
- family dependency drug court;
- community court;
- reentry court;
- domestic violence court;
- veterans' court; or
- any other court certified as a problem-solving court by the Indiana Office of Court Services
Administration
Program solving courts are overseen by the Indiana Judicial Conference. Establishment requires a petition to the Indiana Office of Court Services and completion of the certification process.
In order for a Problem Solving Court to receive Community Corrections & Justice Reinvestment Grant funding by the Department, they must:
be established and certified by the Indiana Officer of Court services.
meet the funding priorities set forth by the Department. Any funding requested may supplement operations, but may not supplant operations.
follow the criteria and performance objectives set forth by the Indiana Problem Solving Court Committee under the Indiana Judicial Conference.
Placement
Placement into a problem solving court is outlined under IC 33-23-16-13, individuals are referred to the programs:
as post-conviction referrals as a condition of probation, community corrections, community transition program, parole, etc.
for deferred prosecution
Target Population
To be considered for Community Corrections and Justice Reinvestment Grant funding, the problem solving court must target:
post-conviction felony offenders that are moderate to high risk, as identified by the Indiana Risk Assessment System (IRAS); or
placed as a condition of Probation or Community Corections with a high need in cognitive interventions, mental health, or addiction stability
Program Standards
The Problem-Solving Committee as part of the Indiana Judicial Conference develops the standards and rules for operating a problem-solving court and sets the performance measures for the programs.
The Indiana Office of Court Services (IOCS) certifies problem-solving courts to ensure that the specialty courts comply with IC 33-23-16, the Judicial Conference of Indiana Problem-Solving Court Rules, and applicable federal regulations.
IOCS provides training and technical assistance on best practices and performance measures for problem solving courts. In addition, they are responsible for reporting to the general assembly on performance outcomes and conduct quality assurance through their certification site visits.
Problem solving courts who wish to seek DOC funding must collaborate with the Community Corrections Advisory Board through the county's collaboration plan and prioritized for funding. Since IOCS oversees the programs, the Department collaborates with IOCS on recommendations for programs seeking funding. If awarded, the Department's primary role is to monitor compliance as it relates to the grant funding and ensure its terms and conditions are upheld.