News/Awards and Events
- June 7, 2011
- Respondents to the 2011 Specialized Supervision and Treatment of Offenders Request for Proposal (RFP) please take note: The application deadline has been extended to 4pm tomorrow, Wednesday, June 8th.
- May 13, 2011
- The 2011 Specialized Supervison and Treatment of Offenders Request for Proposals (RFP) is now available. The Milestones, Outcomes, Costs form (referred to in the RFP) is available here. The deadline for application submission is 4:00pm Tuesday, June 7, 2011.
The 2011 Specialized Supervision and Treatment of Offenders RFP Questions and Answers are available here. - Posted May 26, 2011
- February, 18 2011
- OPCA is seeking nominations for the 2011 Director’s Award for Outstanding Service by a Probation Officer and 2011 Director’s Award for Outstanding Probation/DSS Collaboration These honors will be awarded during the Middle Atlantic States Correctional Association (MASCA) 2011 Annual Conference which will be held June 5-8 at the Crowne Plaza in Albany, NY. Please help us recognize outstanding work by submitting nominations before March 16, 2011. Details of this year’s conference can be found at the MASCA website.
- January 6, 2011
- Probationer Recidivism Continues to Decline in New York State - The Office of Probation and Correctional Alternatives (OPCA) is pleased to release the ten-year annual Probationer Re-Arrest Rates Following Sentence Report which has been updated through 2008. Probationer recidivism, defined as felony re-arrests, continued to decline for 12 (12.1%), 24 (19.2%) and 36 (25.3%) months. These are the lowest statewide rates reported since 1999. Reduced recidivism rates are evidenced in all categories, including re-arrests for Violent Felony Offenses, Drug Offenses and Other Felony Offenses. With our continued emphasis on evidence-based practices in our training, including motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral interventions, and offender workforce development, as well as our uniform risk and need assessment tools, and automation technology, these rates should continue to decline.
- January 5, 2011
- OPCA 13-A Alternatives-to-Incarceration (ATI) Service Plan Application for Funding Due February 15, 2011 – The NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services’ (DCJS), Office of Probation and Correctional Alternatives (OPCA) is issuing a Request for Applications (RFA) in the Annual 13-A Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI) Performance-Based Service Plan pursuant to article 13-A of the Executive Law. Pending approval in the 2011/12 State FY Budget, approximately $3.6 million will be available in 2011 to New York counties (outside of New York City) through county ATI Advisory Boards consistent with funding allocations provided in 2010. The funding is available to provide continued support for ATI programs. For an application please visit: http://www.criminaljustice.state.ny.us/ofpa/newrfp.htm
- December 14, 2010
- OPCA is pleased to release two new supplements to the Ready, Set, Work! (RSW) offender employment curriculum. The new curriculum supplements, Ready, Set, Work! - for Persons in Mental Health Recovery and Ready, Set, Work!- Sex Offenders will be important contributors to promoting the behavioral change that can reduce recidivism and promote community safety. For additional information, please contact Cynthia.Blair@dcjs.state.ny.us or (518) 485-5162.
- December 3, 2010
- State Director's Memo #2010-15 - OPCA has released the New York State Probation Juvenile Sex Offender Practitioner Guidance.
- December 3, 2010
- OPCA has released additional Guidance for the Interstate and Intrastate Transfer of Ignition Interlock Cases based on the new regulations. OPCA has also released information on Nationwide Availability of Qualified IID Manufacturers as of December 3, 2010.
- December 1, 2010
- DCJS submits New Proposed Rule and Amendments in the area of Juvenile Intake. DCJS has submitted a new proposed rule with respect to Preliminary Procedure for Juvenile Delinquency Intake and technical amendments to its general Intake rule (See proposed rule text). These regulatory changes integrate law, research and model probation practices to establish specific minimum standards for probation’s provision of adjustment services to JD youth and their families. A workgroup consisting of probation professionals across the state helped develop these regulatory revisions. Any public comments should be submitted no later than January 24, 2011 to Linda J. Valenti, Esq. , DCJS, 4 Tower Place, Third Floor, Albany, NY 12203; email linda.valenti@dcjs.state.ny.us.
- November 24, 2010
- The Office of Probation and Correctional Alternatives is pleased to announce the release of 3rd quarter reports for the following Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI) programs: Community Service Programs, Pretrial Services Programs, Specialized Drug and Alcohol Service Programs and TASC Program Model, and DBA Programs. Click here to view a summary and highlights.
- November 15, 2010
- The Office of Probation and Correctional Alternatives is pleased to announce the results of a statewide survey regarding Juveniles with Sexually-Related Offenses. A detailed breakdown of the survey data is provided in the summary spreadsheet which includes county-based data.
- November 1, 2010
- The Office of Probation and Correctional Alternatives is pleased to announce that is has finalized Rule 358 Handling of Ignition Interlock Cases Involving Certain Criminal Offenders. This new rule becomes effective on Novemebr 3, 2010. Please refer to State Director's Memorandum #2010-13 for additional information.
- October 26, 2010
- The Office of Probation and Correctional Alternatives has updated the following Ignition Interlock directories as of October 26, 2010: Service Center Locations; Probation Supervision Monitors; and Conditional Discharge Monitors.
- October 21, 2010
- The Office of Probation and Correctional Alternatives is pleased to announce that Pathways to Emploment Ready, Set, Work! (RSW) groups are operational in several counties throughout New York State. Additionally, a specialized RSW program for registered sex offenders was recently developed and has been producing some impressive results. Please see the RSW Update for more information.
- October 6, 2010
- The Office of Probation and Correctional Alternatives has released a Universal Application for Qualified Manufacturers of Ignition Interlock Devices to be used for adding new ignition interlock devices, adding features to certified devices, notification of reduction/elimination of fees and changes in installation/service providers.