Office of Probation and Correctional Alternatives (OPCA)
OPCA is committed to improving practices that promote public safety, ensure offender accountability, provide restitution to victims and reduce recidivism. OPCA provides the tools necessary to enable local jurisdictions to make the best use of their staff and programs. The programs funded through OPCA enhance New York's criminal justice and juvenile justice policies and offer specialized services that are supported by research including employment, training, and treatment - all of which substantially contribute to successful and longstanding outcomes.
What's New...
- September 3, 2010
- The Office of Probation and Correctional Alternatives has released an Open and Continuous Request for Applications for the Provision of Ignition Interlock Services in New York State, Application Form, Application Attachment A - Ignition Interlock Device Information, Ignition Interlock Manufacturer Certification Form. This application process for manufacturers is open and continuous; therefore, applications may be submitted at any time, provided it is in the format prescribed.
- August 19, 2010
- The Office of Probation and Correctional Alternatives has obtained single source exemptions from the NYS Office of the State Comptroller to provide one year contract extensions to four counties that received awards under the 2007 RFP Services for a Shared Population: Defendants and Offenders with Mental Illness. These counties are Allegany, Madison, Schenectady and Warren. The extensions are from July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011 and each is for a reduced amount of $22,338.
- August 12, 2010
- State of New York presents two awards at NYS Probation Officers Association conference held in Albany - Wyoming County Probation Officer Gene Traxler was cited today for “Outstanding Service by a Probation Officer” while Dutchess County Deputy Probation Director Catherine Lane and Dutchess County Deputy Commissioner of Social Services Debra Bonnerwith jointly received an award for “Outstanding Collaboration between Probation and Social Services.”
- August 10, 2010
- Director's Memo #2010-12 Leandra's Law - Ignition Interlock Update: OPCA has released the following documents: New York State Qualified Manufacturers, Ignition Interlock Available Devices and Features, Ignition Interlock Service Centers, Conditional Discharge Monitors, and Probation Supervision Monitors.
- July 15, 2010
- Director's Memo #2010-9 Leandra's Law - Ignition Interlock Devices: New York State Qualified Manufacturers & Price Schedules. OPCA has released the following documents: Ignition Interlock Available Devices and Features, Qualified Manufacturers Listing, Device Availability and Features Table as of July 15, 2010, Ignition Interlock Regions.
- June 10, 2010
- 2009 J-RISC Program Summary – DPCA began the Juvenile Risk Intervention Service Coordination (J-RISC) initiative, incorporating both risk management (enhanced supervision) and risk reduction (evidence-based programs) to better manage and help juvenile offenders change their behaviors. J-RISC is a strength-based initiative that utilizes cognitive-behavioral programs to measurably reduce recidivism among high risk PINS and JD youth at the diversion or probation supervision stages. The seven (7) funded JRISC counties include Dutchess, Monroe, Niagara, Onondaga, Orange, Oswego, and Schenectady.
- June 4, 2010
- Ignition Interlock Program Financial Disclosure Report (DPCA-500IID_FDR) - This report form is to be completed by persons involved in a criminal court proceeding as the result of a pending misdemeanor or felony DWI-related offense who will likely be required, as a condition of sentence, to install ignition interlock devices on all vehicles owned or operated by them. This report only need be completed if that person is applying to the court for either: 1) a waiver of all fees associated with installing and maintaining the device(s), or 2) an alternative payment plan to be arranged with the provider of the interlock ignition device services. The person applying to the court for either a fee waiver or payment plan determination is required to supply 3 (three) copies to the sentencing court PRIOR TO THE SENTENCING HEARING for the DWI-related conviction(s).
- May 18, 2010
- Probationer employment data for 2008 and 2009 as submitted by probation departments in their annual plans submitted to DPCA. Despite the economic pressures of the times and the high rates of unemployment, probation departments continue to assist probationers obtain and retain employment, recognizing the importance of sustained employment in stabilizing the lives of persons under supervision and effectuating offender change leading to reduced recidivism.
- May 10, 2010
- NYS Office of Probation and Correctional Alternatives Provision of Ignition Interlock Services In New York State Request for Applications Questions and Answers.
- May 6, 2010
- State Director's Memorandum #2010-5 Ignition Interlock Program Plan. DPCA recently promulgated regulations governing the monitoring of compliance by persons ordered to install and maintain ignition interlock devices on vehicles they own or operate. Please see Ignition Interlock Regulations Text for details. Section 358.4 of the regulations requires that every county, and the City of New York, establish an Ignition Interlock Program Plan with respect to usage of ignition interlock devices and monitoring the compliance of an operator subject to installation of an ignition interlock device as directed by the sentencing court. In order to assist with the process, DPCA has developed a Plan Document that can be used as a starting point by local jurisdictions. The Ignition Interlock Program Plan must be filed with DPCA no later than June 15, 2010.
- April 27, 2010
- Probation Departments are making significant progress in the implementation of the Caseload Explorer Automated Probation Case Management System. Over 40 probation departments are now in various stages of implementation. Twenty-four departments have implemented the interface with the statewide Integrated Probation Registrant System (I-PRS) and 8 additional departments are in testing. Four counties have fully implemented the Caseload Explorer/YASI Interface. For more information, see the full report prepared by Automon, Inc. for the period ending March 31, 2010.