Probation Services Building
The mission of the Iran Martinez Probation Services Building is to promote public safety by motivating behavioral change and reducing recidivism.
Opened on May 29, 2014, the Iran Martinez Probation Services Building (DRC), located adjacent to the Probation Department, is an on-site cognitive program that strives to achieve excellence in community correction, public safety, and public service through the integration of Evidence Based Practices. The Day Reporting Center collaborates with Law Enforcement Agencies, the Superior Courts, Imperial County Behavioral Health Services, Imperial County Department of Social Services, the Employment Development Department, and other community based organizations to provide a unique blend of services which are tailored to meet the individual needs of our clients.
The Iran Martinez Probation Services Building is administered by the Probation Department to service participants aiming to affect positive change by modeling pro-social attitudes and providing a structured environment by linking clients with the resources and services they need to be successful. The DRC assists the Probation Department and Sheriff’s Office in managing the population they serve by promoting behavioral change, increasing linkages to addiction treatment, promoting participation in education and employment programs, and holding probationers accountable.
The goals of the Iran Martinez Probation Services Building are to reduce offender re-arrest, provide pre-trial services monitoring, assist offenders in successful reentry into the community, and increase public safety by holding offenders accountable. These goals are achieved by providing skill-based learning opportunities, educational and vocational training, and intensive community supervision.
Located within the Day Reporting Center, GEO Re-Entry Services is the primary point of contact for clients who participate in Cognitive Behavioral Programs. GEO Re-Entry Services aims to promote positive change by modeling pro-social attitudes and providing a structured environment by linking offenders with the resources and services they need to be successful. GEO orients new clients to program requirements and use assessment tools to determine an individual’s risk and needs in developing a comprehensive behavior change plan. Elements of a behavior change plan include:
The services are provided through a four level reporting and supervision program at the Day Reporting Center. Each participant will start at the most intensive level and progressively move through the program to the less structured levels. It is important to understand that each participant’s required level of supervision depends upon the actual behavioral change that has taken place for each individual participant. The following list indicates how progress through the Day Reporting Center Program is measured:
The Imperial Pathways Charter School is a drop out recovery program for students ages 17 and older who want to graduate with a high school diploma or GED. In order to earn a high school diploma or GED, all students will need to complete all of the state minimum course requirements (135 credits).
Students will receive the opportunity to:
Often students have credits that will transfer - to evaluate your individual credit history contact the Imperial Pathways Charter office at (760) 312-5500.
Please contact Imperial Pathways at (760) 312-5524 to enroll.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a problem-focused, therapeutic approach that attempts to help people identify and change dysfunctional beliefs, thoughts, and patterns of behavior that contribute to their problem behaviors. For adult offenders, CBT explains how cognitive deficits, distortion, and flawed thinking processes can lead to criminal behavior. CBT programs emphasize individual accountability and attempt to help adult offenders to understand their thinking processes and the choices they make before they commit a crime.
CBT is based on a theoretical foundation that focuses on how “criminal thinking” contributes to criminal behavior and offending. This can include self-justificatory thinking, misinterpretation of social cues, feelings of dominance and entitlement, and a lack of moral reasoning (Development Services Group, Inc. 2010; Lipsey, Landenberger, and Wilson 2007).
CBT is based on the idea that an offender’s cognitive deficits and criminal-thinking patterns are learned, and not inherited, behavior. Therefore, CBT interventions typically use a set of structured techniques that attempt to build cognitive skills in areas in which offenders show deficits. CBT can also restructure cognition in areas where offenders show biased or distorted thinking.
Imperial County Probation Officers facilitate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Courses at the Day Reporting Center and the Imperial County Jail. The courses taught by Probation Officers follow the National Curriculum & Training Institute (NCTI) Crossroads Program guidelines and include:
The Adult Felony Offenses curriculum addresses the needs of medium to high risk offenders who have entered the court system for a wide variety of felony offenses. This curriculum uses activity enhanced components to provide an in-depth process for gaining and practicing new behavioral skills that can help participants achieve constructive life changes. Individuals are encouraged to practice skills outside of the group setting and to report on the progress and problems they experienced during practice. The length of the curriculum allows for greater development of the participant/facilitator relationship, providing an additional support base for the participant.
The JOBTEC curriculum teaches those competencies that the Department of Labor and research have found to be necessary for finding and keeping a job. Through this extensive curriculum, participants will learn practical job-finding skills, practice positive and professional behavior, and explore their own personal strengths and values.
The Adult Parenting curriculum helps parents understand the process of changing negative behavior in their children and motivating positive behavior. Through activity enhanced components, parents learn how to counteract negative behaviors using methods that are non-threatening and effective, and that build responsibility. Parents learn the difference between punishment and discipline, and are encouraged to use discipline instead of punishment.
The Adult Anger Management Curriculum is designed to give participants an opportunity to practice skills that will allow them to positively control their behavior and the events in their lives. Through activity enhanced components, individuals learn to successfully control their emotions and channel their energies in a positive direction.
T4C stresses interpersonal communication skills development and confronts thought patterns that can lead to problematic behaviors. The program has three components: cognitive self-change, social skills, and problem-solving skills.
The on-site Mental Health Rehabilitation Specialist provided by Imperial County Behavioral Health has the ability to refer higher-need probation clients to the Substance Use Disorder Program in Imperial County and to out of county facilities such as: the McAlister Institute, Tarzana Treatment Center, and Freedom Ranch, residential treatment facilities in San Diego County.
SMART Recovery is an international non-profit organization that provides assistance to individuals seeking abstinence from addiction. SMART stands for Self-Management and Recovery Training. The SMART approach is secular and science-based, using cognitive behavioral therapy and non-confrontational motivational methods.
The Day Reporting Center hosts a group drug and alcohol counseling session facilitated by SMART Recovery on a weekly basis. For additional information, please contact:
Don Gorham:
Susan Ireland
A representative from the Department of Child Support Services visits the Day Reporting Center on a weekly basis to provide probationers assistance in meeting their court ordered child support obligations.
Representatives from the Department of Workforce Development work with GEO to provide probationers vocational education and assist clients with job placement. Probation Officers are provided with a daily Job List and encourage clients to visit their locations to obtain assistance with resume building, interview preparedness, and further prepare them for employment success.
A representative from the County Free Library visits the Day Reporting Center twice a week and works with both jail inmates and probation clients to improve literacy skills.
The Day Reporting Center hosts 5 counseling services groups provided by Matt Burgen, M.F.T. on Fridays and Saturdays. For additional information, please click the link below:
The Day Reporting Centers hosts two Anger Management groups facilitated by New Creations. For additional information please click the link below: