CITIZENS SOUGHT TO EASE DISTRICT'S WORKLOAD

Struggling with heavy case loads and no relief in sight, the 21st
Judicial District Probation Department is asking for citizens' assistance.

The probation department, following the footsteps of larger judicial
districts on the Front Range, will begin training community members
to serve as deputy probation officers.

Chief Probation Officer Susan Gilbert said all of the larger judicial
districts in the state already have similar volunteer programs, and
Mesa County has reached the point where it needs to do the same.

"We have gotten large enough that we need a program to help us here,"
Gilbert said. "Mesa County has grown significantly, and we need that
support from the community.

"Actually, we've probably needed this for years, but in the last
three years, high-risk offenders using methamphetamine are taking so
much effort and time we need to make sure low-risk offenders still
get the time and attention they need." After a formal application,
interview and background check, volunteers will undergo 18 hours of training.

"Obviously, we need to make sure they aren't bringing in their own
agenda and issues," Gilbert said.

Volunteers will be responsible for a variety of tasks that will free
up regular probation officers to focus on cases that need more attention.

"They may supervise a very low-risk offender, people who just have
fines that need to be paid or minimal contact to complete their
term," Gilbert said.

Deputy probation officers also will work on "interstate-compact"
cases, or maintain contact with other states or judicial districts to
discuss offenders and document their compliance in other counties,
Gilbert said. Other tasks include data entry and filing notices of
compliance, she said.

The department is hoping to sign on as many volunteers as possible in
the hopes that a large group of people would be willing to commit a
few hours a week, offering the office full-time volunteer coverage.

"They will have their own office and learn the legal system from the
ground up," Gilbert said. "They'll make sure we touch on every case
in our district."

The first group training sessions are scheduled Feb. 2 and 3.

Visit the probation department on the second flood of the Mesa County
Justice Center, or call 257-3600 for an application.