Problems with Probation
and How ProbationComm Solves Them

Problem:  Late reports
Solution:  Alerts probationer and officer of upcoming reports and makes it easy for probationer to file report. It remembers the last entered report data, so there is very little typing.

Problem:  Late or skipped payments
Solution:  Payments are easier to make with ProbationComm. The time to make a payment over the web is usually faster and easier then writing a check or calling in a credit card number. And for those counties that have not taken credit card payments before, ProbationComm makes it easier for probationers to afford to make their payments because of the option to pay with credit.

Problem:  Lengthy and untimely phone calls
Solution:  Phone conversations take longer and are less convenient for both the officer and the probationer. Using ProbationComm integrated email system and Instant Messaging module is a better use of time. Phone conversations need undivided attention, while messaging and email can be used when it's convenient for the user.

Problem:  Office visits take up too much time and much of that time is wasted for both parties (offender drive time, waiting in lobby, introductions, small talk, etc.)
Solution:  Again, using ProbationComm integrated email system and Instant Messaging module is a better use of time. Phone conversations need undivided attention, while messaging and email can be used when it's convenient for the user.

Problem:  Manual and time-consuming process on both sides

• Probationer fills out report form by hand
• Probationer writes a check
• Probationer prints or hand-writes envelope
• Mail service takes days to deliver
• Office admin staff receive report and payment along with piles of others
• Office admin staff files, or manually types report content into computer database

Solution:  With ProbationComm, much of this process is automated and what's not automated takes drastically less time. Report and payment data is saved to the database instantly and the officer is alerted with an email and a note on the Dashboard that new reports and payments are in. It's easier, faster, and more error-free than the old manual process.

Problem:  Illegible handwriting
Solution:  With web forms, information is typed in and not hand-written. Officers and staff will no longer misread of spend time trying to decipher bad hand-writing.

Problem:  Too many probationers to one officer
Solution:  With the automated features of ProbationComm, the goal is to increase individual officer case loads by 300% or more.

Problem:  Need to staff more officers and support staff to handle increasing numbers of offenders.
Solution:  By enabling officers to handle heavier case loads and the reduced strain on office staff, the staff and officers can be retasked to more important duties and the need to add more officers is reduced.

Problem:  No budget to hire the number of officers and support staff needed to handle the caseloads

• Extensive, expensive training for new officers.

Solution:  There is no cost to your department. Probationers pay a $30 annual subscription fee to access the service. Also, any credit card transaction fees from payments are charged back to the probationer, meaning it costs the department nothing to accept credit cards.

Problem:  Not enough time to spend on high-level offenders.
Solution:  By automating the mundane tasks of managing low-level offenders, more time is freed up for more low-level offenders and/or more time to devote to those that need more attention.

ProbationComm's goals are:

• Dramatically increase case loads (by 3 times or more)
• Save probation departments and states money by eliminating the need to hire additional officers to handle higher caseloads.
• Improve the probation system by allowing officers to spend more time supervising their more dangerous offenders.
• Save probation departments time by automating many of their manual and mundane tasks. What used to take hours, would take only minutes or less.
• Provide for better, faster and more timely communications between officer and offender.
• Increase the department and the state's revenue by giving offenders an easier and more convenient way of making their payments.
• Provide offenders with a friendly and convenient way of fulfilling their obligations.

REPORT · PAY · COMMUNICATE™