Tippecanoe County Probation Department's New Kiosk System

Introduction

• Tippecanoe County Probation Department introduces electronic kiosks for low-risk offenders.
• Aimed at saving resources and focusing probation officer efforts on higher-risk cases.

Key Points

How the Kiosk System Works

• Low-risk offenders check in using a touch-screen kiosk.
• The kiosk asks simple, static questions such as:
  • Address changes
  • Restitution payments
• This automation allows probation officers to focus on more complex tasks.

Financial Benefits

• The county saves money with the kiosk system.
• Cost for a kiosk: $30,000 per year.
• Cost of hiring a new probation officer: $62,000 per year (including salary and benefits).
• Two years of kiosk use is equivalent to the cost of hiring one probation officer for one year.

Safety and Risk Management

• Only low-risk offenders are eligible to use the kiosk.
• Examples of low-risk offenses: theft, trespassing, first-time OWI (Operating While Intoxicated).
• Sex offenders are excluded from using the kiosk.
• Offenders are assessed based on a risk assessment system identifying low criminal genic needs or domains.

Additional Features

• The kiosk can also conduct drug screenings.
• Located in the Lafayette Sentinel Office.
• Potential for expansion to other counties in the state.
• Can be adapted to meet the needs of different counties.

Feedback and Future Plans

• Positive feedback received from probation officers.
• Officers can now focus on moderate and high-risk offenders.
• Ongoing assessment to determine the program’s success and possible broader implementation.

Conclusion

• The kiosk system is a cost-effective solution for managing low-risk offenders.
• It allows probation officers to concentrate on higher-risk cases while maintaining accountability for low-risk individuals.
• Future expansions and adaptations are planned depending on program success.