Luzerne County’s court branch has outlined how it plans to use a $412,581 state grant for adult probation and parole operations, including raises for non-union department workers and the creation of three new positions.
County Council is set to vote Tuesday on a budget amendment related to the grant.
The funding supports Pennsylvania’s probation-reform legislation, Act 44 of 2023, which encourages customized supervision plans for offenders to help keep them in their communities when they do not jeopardize public safety.
Awarded by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency over a two-year period, the “Justice Reinvestment Initiative 2” grant aims to improve adult probation and parole operations and outcomes, increase efficiency and effectiveness, and implement evidence-based practices as required under Act 44. Funds can only be used for Adult Probation and Pretrial Services.
The grant application states the funds will be used to cover raises in 14 positions, three new probation officer positions, along with training, supplies and other operating expenses, the agenda said.
Upon conclusion of the grants, raised salaries and new positions would have to be funded by the county’s general fund operating budget. Approximately $83,000 associated with the raises and new positions must be charged to the county’s general fund during the grant.
The one-time raises, which total $49,500, are for non-union probation employees.
Pay increases are warranted due to increased workloads and to be in range of compensation for comparable positions in similarly sized, third-class counties, county Court Administrator Paul Hindmarsh told the council during a work session presentation earlier this month. Like the county administration, court departments are focused on compensation issues that are impacting recruitment and retention, he said.
The three new officers, budgeted at a total of $256,500 over two years, will strengthen probation pretrial services, he said.
Without pretrial services to assess and supervise, those charged with crimes would have to be housed in the county prison at a cost of approximately $190 per day per inmate, Hindmarsh said.
He estimated 310 people were in pretrial services when he spoke at the council’s Aug. 11 work session. Of those, about 250 or so were not incarcerated, which saves the county on prison expenses, he said.
During the work session discussion, Council Chairman Jimmy Sabatino asked how many cases are handled by probation services.
Hindmarsh said the department of 107 is managing more than 9,000 cases, including those on active supervision, paying fines and restitution, and in treatment court and other court-ordered programs.
Councilwoman Joanna Bryn Smith said she believes the grant will help the county transition to the new state requirements.
Hindmarsh concurred and followed up by sending the council further details on Act 44.
His explanation said the legislation emphasizes probation conditions should be based on the person’s circumstances, history, and offense and “should use the least restrictive means necessary to promote rehabilitation and public safety.”
There is a “presumption against total confinement” for technical violations, with exceptions for cases involving public safety, sexual conduct, threatening behavior, and other legal circumstances, it said.
Under this new approach, county Probation Services had 133 cases eligible for early termination through Aug. 18 this year, Hindmarsh said. Of those, 44 were terminated early because those under supervision successfully satisfied all probation conditions. The remaining 89 were continued because not all conditions were met.
Council will hold a public hearing on the budget meeting at 5:55 p.m. Tuesday at the county courthouse on River Street in Wilkes-Barre, with the voting meeting set to follow.
Instructions for the remote attendance option are posted in the council’s online public meeting section at luzernecounty.org.