6th District

To meet the department's mission of "An Iowa With No More Victims," the High Risk Unit focuses the majority of their time on clients with the highest risk to reoffend. This unit provides field surveillance, warrant service and other law enforcement related functions for those on supervision that may be assigned to the residential, field, pretrial, probation, parole or sex offender programs.

All High Risk Unit Officers are Iowa Law Enforcement Academy Certified Peace Officers and work throughout the 6 counties in the District. In an effort to support all of the communities within the district jurisdiction, HRU officers have base offices in Linn, Jones, Johnson and Benton Counties. HRU officers are uniformed, armed, and otherwise equipped as law enforcement officers. Additionally, officers are assigned visibly marked and fully equipped law enforcement vehicles. The HRU works closely with all law enforcement agencies and district partners to best serve the clients on supervision as well as the communities they reside in. The HRU also has an officer who is sworn into and assigned to the United States Marshal Service Northern District of Iowa Fugitive Task Force.

*Note: A per transaction service fee of 2.5% and $1.50 will be charged by the payment processing company for this service.

This class involves 12 to 16 additional sessions (dependent upon completion of the orientation session) of the Achieving Change Through Value-Based Behavior (ACTV) curriculum, specially tailored for high risk individuals. Special focus is given to social networks, cognitive awareness, substance abuse and employment.

This is a 24-week (20 if you have completed the orientation group) curriculum where clients learn skills to live healthy and meaningful lives. This program focuses on new ways to address challenges, namely distressing thoughts or emotions that may be contributing to unhealthy behavior patterns. Clients are encouraged to examine their own values and how their thoughts and actions impact those values.

This is a 24-week (20 if you have completed the orientation group) curriculum where clients learn skills to live healthy and meaningful lives. This program focuses on new ways to address challenges, namely distressing thoughts or emotions that may be contributing to unhealthy behavior patterns. Clients are encouraged to examine their own values and how their thoughts and actions impact those values.

The Iowa Domestic Abuse Program (IDAP) is offered by the 6th District in keeping with Iowa code. The program provides a group education for those with domestic violence convictions. It utilizes an evidence-based curriculum shown to lower recidivism and empower participants to lead more successful lives.

The program is 24 weeks and uses the Achieving Change Through Value (ACTV)-based behavior curriculum. The IDAP program is court ordered and focuses on values based conviction in response to the domestic assault charges that were received by the clients. Groups are divided by men and women.

*The fee for participation is $500, which can be paid on this website, in person at our offices or by postal order.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long does it last? - The program consists of 24 sessions offered weekly. Each group lasts two hours.

How much does it cost? - Total program fees are $500. Participants are allowed to pay over the course of the 24 sessions, but payment in full is expected upon completion. Payment can be made via credit/debit card, check, money order or cash.

Can I go to jail instead? - No. IDAP enrollment and completion is required by Iowa code in addition to any other sanctions imposed by the court.

What happens if I do not complete the program? - Those who fail to enroll and complete both the program orientation and the 24-week program will be referred to the court for contempt and will need to restart.

Where are the groups held? - Groups are held at the District offices in Cedar Rapids and Coralville. In some cases virtual options are also made if certain criteria are met. More information will be provided after registration.

This is a four-week introductory course for clients to get familiar with the intervention process. The facilitator will go over expectations of groups, talk about the next steps in the process, and answer any questions. Over the course of the four weeks, the facilitator will complete the first four weeks of the Achieving Change Through Value-Based Behavior (ACTV) curriculum. Topics covered during the four weeks focus on mood, behaviors, and substance use which has applications for many clients, including those who will not go on to complete the ACTV curriculum.

Self-Supervised Probation is a court-ordered program*. Clients do not have a probation officer meeting with them on a regular basis to ensure they are completing their requirements. Instead, they are responsible for arranging and completing all court-ordered obligations and are given a probation officer as a contact person to answer questions and/or offer guidance as needed. The 6th District is responsible for providing the court with reports on a client’s probation status.

How does the program work? 

1. Clients are typically placed on probation for a period of 1-3 years with the condition that all court-ordered obligations (substance abuse evaluations/classes, Drinking Drivers classes, community service, payment of fines, court costs and the supervision fee, etc.) are completed within the first six months of the probationary period.
2. Clients are sent a copy of their sentencing order and probation instructions from the 6th District within two weeks of sentencing. This will include specific case information/court-ordered obligations and contact information for any questions or problems.
3. For the next six months, clients are expected to work on completing their probation requirements on their own. They should, as soon as possible, arrange community service work, classes, treatment, or other obligations they have been ordered to complete. They will not be contacted by the 6th District during this time, as it is their responsibility to contact the Department if they are having trouble. The 6th District always has assistance available to clients that request it. As soon as clients complete required tasks, they should submit proof of completion either to the Sixth District or the County Clerk of Court.
4. All cases are reviewed approximately seven months after being placed on probation. The 6th District reviews all documentation filed with the courthouse (Clerk of Court) and the Department. This information is combined into one probationary status report and sent to the Judge to determine closure. If all probation requirements have been completed, clients may be considered for an early release/discharge from probation. If all conditions have not been completed, clients are subject to probation revocation and/or contempt of court.

* This is a general overview of the program. It should be noted that not all cases are placed on probation for only one year, nor are all cases/obligations to be completed within the first six months of probation. Some deadlines may be longer or shorter depending on the circumstances of the case. Clients should refer to their sentencing order for specific information related to their case.

The District provides treatment, monitoring and surveillance (including GPS) to those clients who have been convicted of a sexual-based offense. Treatment services are provided to clients in accordance with validated sex offender specific risk assessment scores, also using additional treatment tools such as polygraph, computerized voice stress analysis (CVSA) and psychological assessment when needed and appropriate. The SOP Unit provides ongoing treatment groups, which vary in frequency and length in accordance with client risk and needs.

Contact with Minors / Child Endangerment

Restrictions on contact with minors may exist as a result of being required to register as a sex offender. See Iowa Code Section 726.6, the court order, and/or conditions of supervision for restrictions related to a specific case. In the event that these restrictions aren’t adhered to, the parent and/or the client convicted of a sexually based offense could be charged with child endangerment. Therefore, a protocol is in place to reduce the likelihood of child endangerment, which involves discussion with the supervising agent and the completion of required paperwork. The agent will work with the client and family members to complete the paperwork before any contact may occur.

This is a 20-week curriculum designed for clients with intense emotions they struggle regulating. Over the course of the program, participants take a deep dive into learning about emotions, the behaviors that often accompany them, and how to better manage those feelings.

This is a 24-week curriculum for justice-involved clients. This program is designed to have each session build upon the skills learned in previous sessions. Participants will learn and develop social skills, the skills of cognitive self-change, and problem solving skills. This program involves homework which will allow each participant to work on their real-life problem situations outside of designated class times. Thinking for a Change will address the cognitive, social and emotional needs of our client populations.