About Community Based Corrections

Community-based corrections provides correctional supervision and services in a community setting as an alternative to jail or prison.

Pretrial services provide supervision for some arrestees prior to disposition of their criminal charges, to ensure all court appearances and obligations are met.

Presentence investigations are conducted to provide the court with background information on a defendant as specified in the Iowa Code to assist the judge in determining an appropriate sentence that most effectively serves the offender and utilizes correctional resources wisely.

Probation supervision is provided when the sentencing judge determines the offender should remain in the community, in lieu of incarceration, or a stay in jail. Offenders placed on probation undergo an objective assessment process to determine an appropriate level of supervision to address community risk and case planning needs. Supervision levels range from minimal to intensive, and may involve electronic monitoring. Referrals to correctional programs, local treatment providers, and other resources occur as appropriate.

Parole supervision is provided when the board of parole determines the offender should receive a period of supervision following prison incarceration. Offenders placed on parole undergo the same assessment, case planning and treatment referral processes provided to probationers.

Special sentence supervision is provided to sex offenders per the Iowa Code after the criminal penalty portion of the sentence has been served.  Depending on the convicting offense, special sentence supervision may be five years, or lifetime. Offenders on special sentence supervision undergo the same assessment, case planning and treatment referral processes provided to other supervised offenders.

Residential correctional facilities are non-secure facilities providing 24-hour supervision of offenders. Offenders may leave the facility for approved purposes such as for job-seeking, employment, or treatment. Residential correctional facilities house a number of different offender populations:

• Work Release. Offenders who are transitioning from prison to the community per decision by the board of parole.

• OWI Continuum. Offenders sentenced to prison for second, third or subsequent offense drunk driving may be diverted to residential correctional facilities to receive substance abuse treatment per the Iowa Code.

• Probation. Offenders ordered to community supervision by the sentencing judge may be required to reside in a residential correctional facility for a period of time, as an alternative to incarceration.

• Other offenders residing in residential correctional facilities may be Federal, interstate compact, offenders on special sentence, etc.