Office of Community Corrections
About Community Corrections
The Community Corrections program in Michigan started in the late 1980s to address rising prison populations and costs. In 1988, the Community Corrections Act (Public Act 511) was passed. This led to the creation of the Michigan Office of Community Corrections (MOCC) to reduce prison admissions, make better use of county jails, and improve offender treatment programs.
Public Act 511 also allowed local counties to form Community Corrections Advisory Boards (CCAB) with local justice and community members. These boards can apply for grants to support local programs.
The Van Buren County Office of Community Corrections (OCC) was established with these funds to manage and guide the local CCAB’s plans. The staff ensures that funded programs meet goals to reduce prison commitments and effectively use jail facilities.
Our Mission
The mission of the Van Buren County Office of Community Corrections is to promote pretrial justice and enhance community safety through evidence-based practices.
Our Goals
- Reduce state prison commitments for county offenders.
- Prevent overcrowding at the Van Buren County Correctional Facility.
- Protect public safety by diverting low-risk, non-violent offenders into rehabilitation programs.
We support sentencing options that combine jail and probation with rehabilitation, rather than incarceration alone. Our funded programs include day reporting, gender-specific programming, and pretrial supervision. These services help offenders build skills, find employment, and overcome substance abuse challenges.
Community Corrections is primarily funded by grants from the Michigan Department of Corrections, depending on state budget approval.
Key Objectives
- Decrease the prison commitment rate in Van Buren County.
- Reduce recidivism, including probation violations leading to prison.
- Expand jail diversion strategies for better use of jail space.
- Encourage diverse stakeholder involvement in planning.
- Provide evidence-based community programs to reduce future crime.
- Monitor and evaluate programs for quality and effectiveness.
Data and Statistics
We collect and analyze data on sentenced felony offenders, jail use, and program performance to ensure effectiveness.
Drug Testing Services
We conduct random drug testing to ensure compliance with court orders and support recovery. Our trained staff collects samples for various court programs and driver’s license restorations.
We follow best practices for sample collection, primarily using urine samples, but can also collect oral and hair samples when needed. We ensure proper chain of custody for legal proceedings. Substances tested include Alcohol, Methamphetamine, Amphetamine, Benzodiazepines, Opiates, Barbiturates, Cocaine, Marijuana, Buprenorphine, and Methadone. We also test creatinine levels to detect dilution or tampering.
The Van Buren County Courts Screening Office is located at 212 E. Paw Paw Street, with entrance on the Northeast Corner of the Van Buren County Jail. Testing hours are 6 a.m.-11 a.m. Monday-Friday. Contact us at 269-657-8200 ext. 2482.
For out-of-county referrals, complete the Drug Testing Referral Form and email it to [email protected].
