Introduction
The Stark County Reentry Court was planned and developed in 2006. The development of the program was a cooperative effort between the Stark County Court of Common Pleas, local service providers as well as the faith-based community to coordinate community-planning efforts for the Stark County Reentry Initiative. With the endorsement of the Stark County Community Corrections Planning Board, the first Reentry Court session was held in December of 2006.
The Reentry Court Program is a Supreme Court of Ohio Certified Specialized docket designed for individuals who have been convicted of a felony offense and are returning to Stark County from state or county institutions.
The goal of the program is to provide transitional support; including assistance with employment and connections to programs and services that aid with housing, mentoring, anger management, cognitive behavioral therapy programming, peer support, chemical dependency treatment and sex offender treatment. The Reentry Court program recognizes the impacts of economic stability (obtaining and maintaining employment), education (secondary, vocational, college), as well as access to quality community care, engagement in evidenced based programming, judicial oversight and individualized planning, as being vital to the long-term success of Reentry participants.
Eligibility
The Stark County Reentry Court was planned and developed in 2006. The development of the program was a cooperative effort between the Stark County Court of Common Pleas, local service providers as well as the faith-based community to coordinate community-planning efforts for the Stark County Reentry Initiative. With the endorsement of the Stark County Community Corrections Planning Board, the first Reentry Court session was held in December of 2006.
The Reentry Court Program is a Supreme Court of Ohio Certified Specialized docket designed for individuals who have been convicted of a felony offense and are returning to Stark County from state or county institutions.
The goal of the program is to provide transitional support; including assistance with employment and connections to programs and services that aid with housing, mentoring, anger management, cognitive behavioral therapy programming, peer support, chemical dependency treatment and sex offender treatment. The Reentry Court program recognizes the impacts of economic stability (obtaining and maintaining employment), education (secondary, vocational, college), as well as access to quality community care, engagement in evidenced based programming, judicial oversight and individualized planning, as being vital to the long-term success of Reentry participants.
Staff
The Court of Common Pleas presently employs four Reentry Court staff: Reentry Court Director, Reentry Court Coordinator, Reentry Employment Specialist, and a Reentry Specialist. Reentry Court sessions are presided over by a Judge of the Stark County Court of Common Pleas. Oversight for Reentry Court is provided by the Stark County Judges, the Reentry Court Advisory Committee, and the Reentry Court team.
Description
There are three tracks in the Reentry Court Program, each with differing eligibility and completion requirements.
CSP [Community Stabilization Program]: Designed for individuals who are assessed as having Low to Moderate Risks/Needs. This program has 3 phases and can be completed successfully in 4 months.
General Reentry: Designed for individuals assessed as having High Risks/Needs. This program has 3 phases and can be successfully completed in a minimum of 9 -12 months.
The Reentry Treatment Court: Designed for individuals assessed as having High Risks/Needs as well as a SUD or Mental health diagnosis. This is a yearlong program and has four phases.
Each of the Reentry tracks requires frequent and ongoing contact between team members and participants. These contacts, along with communication with The Stark County Adult Probation Department and the Stark County Day Reporting program, enable staff to monitor compliance with programming as well as recognize achievements and address any areas of concern.
Comprehensive reports are prepared for each participant prior to the mandatory BI-weekly or Monthly status review hearings with the Reentry Court Judge. The Reentry Court treatment team including the Prosecutor, Public Defender, Probation officer, treatment providers, and Reentry court staff review each report prior to the Reentry status hearings. The Reentry Court Judge uses these reports to individually address each participant’s progress in the program utilizing incentives, sanctions, and therapeutic adjustments.
All program requirements must be met to advance through the phases and successfully complete the program. Progression through phases is not solely based on set timelines.
The Reentry Program Offices are located at:
201 Cleveland Ave SW, Suite 105
Canton, Ohio 44702
CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION:
330.451.7118
Reentry Court Frequently Asked Questions
Reentry is a special condition of the terms of probation. The Judges of the Stark County Court of Common Pleas, along with your probation officer, make the decisions regarding your probation status.
No. Individuals must be eligible for and entered in the Reentry Court Program to qualify for funded resources.
HOWEVER information regarding community resources, available services from other agencies and job leads are available to ANY RETURNING CITIZEN.
No. Individuals must be referred to the program by a Judge or probation officer.
Talk to your probation officer. They can refer you to the Reentry Court if they feel it is appropriate for you.
No. If you are ordered to complete Reentry Court by a Judge or probation/parole officer, it is required of you to be monitored by Reentry Court staff for the duration of the Reentry Court program.
No. The Stark County Reentry Coalition is a task force for the county, which is comprised of various organizations with the purpose of collaboration and coordination of services and education among participating agencies and the community. It is also a source of information for available training and funding sources. The Reentry Court is one of the participating organizations of the Reentry Coalition. For more information about the Reentry Coalition, call (330) 451-7118.