Etater.com takes great pride in asking the question that need answered. It is true that sometimes certain folks don't want the questions answere but that doesn't mean the question should be asked so here goes....

1. We are hearing that community service folks are provided no transportation to their work site and sometimes have to walk miles to and from work. Is this true?

2. We are hearing that no rain gear is being supplied for those working ourdoors. Is this correct and what will happen this winter?

3. We are hearing that some of the work sites have no bathroom facilities. Where are community servants supposed to go for the bathroom?

4. We are hearing that the workers are being poorly equipped for their work? Is this tdrue?

5. Regarding safety for those working on or near the road: Should the have signs to alert folks to their presence?

6. We understand that some workers are working alone at the work sites. What would happened if someone were injured at a work site.

7. In the case of workers who are on regular depression medicine, are they forced to quit their medicine if it is narcotic based?

8. Prisoners are given three hots a days. Community servants are provided no food nor food vouchers. Is this kosher?

Travis Carter at Elkins probably would answer some of your questions.County commission has the number for him.I am sure Mrs.Taylor will not answer any truthful questions to anybody.

I have not gotten a copy of the Pocahontas Rules. So here is Greenbrier County:

General Rules


In addition to the regular conditions of probation or home incarceration that apply during periods of supervision, the following conditions will also apply throughout clients sentence to the Greenbrier Day Report Center.

* Consumption of alcohol and/or any controlled substances (drugs) is not permitted.

"Dealing," secondary inhaling or handling drugs (as opposed to actually using them) will not, under any circumstances, be accepted as an excuse for a positive urine screen. Sanctions will be imposed for all positive screens and incidents of dealing, possessing or selling drugs will be reported to the client's Probation Officer and/or Home Incarceration Officer. Selling drugs or assisting in the sale of drugs is a serious offense and will be treated as such. Failure to provide a urine screen when requested will be considered an "administrative" positive and is sanctioned the same as a positive drug test result.

* Clients and visitors are subject to being searched with the handheld and walk-through metal detectors.
* Upon the initial entry into the GDRC each day, client is to sign the sign-in list located at the front desk. They are to sign-out when they leave for the day.
* Consumption of prescription drugs without a physician's authorization is not allowed. However, please note that sentencing court will be notified of prescription drug use if such use is determined by staff to be interfering with programming or the results of the random drug tests indicate that the client is not using the prescription as directed by their physician (i.e., they are taking more than the prescribed dosage). In order to track the prescription drug use, the prescribing physician will be contacted on a regular basis to verify the prescribed medications. This includes medications prescribed by an emergency room physician.
* No weapons, pagers, beepers, cell phones, walkmans or headphones are permitted in the Greenbrier Day Report Center. Also, no newspapers or magazines are permitted unless they are needed for a project in one of the group sessions.
* Purses, packages, briefcases or backpacks are ont permitted in the GDRC.
* The following dress code has been adopted and will be enforced:

No clothing, jewelry or fashion accessories will be worn or carried into the Greenbrier Day Report Center which are racially offensive, obscene, depict nudity, promote or advocate gangs, violence, guns or other illegal activities or represent items associated with drugs, drug use, alcohol, alcohol use, or the paraphernalia associated with drug and'/or alcohol use. This includes T-shirts, hats, etc., that display advertisements of alcoholic beverages and jewelry items bearing the likeness of such items as marijuana leaves, etc. If questions arise concerning the appropriateness of any item, the Greenbrier Day Report Center staff will make the final determination.

Appropriate clothing, including undergarments, is required at all times in the GDRC. Clients are expected to maintain their appearance in a clean and appropriate manner. No provocative clothing may be worn in the GDRC. Clothing needs to be reasonably clean and without tears or holes. No one will be allowed to attend programming if they are wearing inappropriate clothing. Non-admittance to programming due to inappropriate clothing will be counted as an unexcused absence.

The following clothing will not be permitted: shorts, short skirts or dresses, halter-tops or midriff tops, muscle shirts, tank tops, mesh shirts, sweat pants of any kind and tight-fitting or revealing clothing.

Hats or other head coverings are not permitted to be worn at anytime inside the GDRC.

* The client is responsible for maintaining proper personal hygiene (i.e., daily bathing, brushing teeth, wearing deodorant, brushing/combing hair, etc.).
* Clients are not permitted to interact with staff or another client in a manner that involves inappropriate touching, conversation, gesture or insinuation - especially of an antagonistic, sexual, intimidating or abusive nature.
* Unless directed by a staff member, clients are not permitted in the administrative offices of the facility.
* Clients are not permitted to open closed doors, drawers or cabinets unless instructed to do so by a staff member.
* Clients are required to submit to random urine drug tests and portable breath testing (PBT) for alcohol.
* Clients are required to fully participate in all GDRC programming. This includes all group and individual counseling sessions, as well as the performance of community service.
* As part of the GDRC program, it is required to perform either 8 or 24 hours of community service (CS) work per week depending on employment status. If unemployed, 28 hours of work per week is required, which is normally performed 4 hours each afternoon, Monday through Friday, for a total of 20 hours plus 8 hours on Saturday. If employed, 8 hours of work per week is required, which is normally performed on Saturday. Any hours missed must be made up regardless of the reason for the absence. CS will be performed in the county where sentencing took place.
* The client is required to report any changes in daily schedule to GDRC staff. In addition, any changes of home address, employment or phone numbers need to be immediately reported to staff.
* If employed, verification of employment by submitting a paycheck stub every payday is required. GDRC is to be notified of any work schedule changes. Forty (40) hour work weeks are permitted. Overtime will be allowed only in emergency situations.
* Phones are not to be used without supervision; clients are not permitted to receive personal phone calls at the GDRC. Telephones are to be used only to call for a ride or to call probation officer or home incarceration officer. Use of the telephone without first obtaining permission will result in phone privileges being revoked.
* All homework assignments must be turned in on time as instructed by each group facilitator.
* Independent work time (i.e., journaling, big book summaries and other reading) is to be used constructively. Idle talking to pass the time is not permitted. Use all of the allotted time period to complete your work.
* Restroom breaks while groups are in process will not be allowed, unless a medical excuse from a licensed physician is provided to the group facilitator prior to the start of the group session.
* Clients are not permitted to go to their vehicles during breaks.
* Unless directed by GDRC staff, no food or drinks are permitted outside of designated areas.
* Each client who enters the GDRC is responsible for the upkeep of the facility. The last group of clients who use a group room during the morning and evening sessions is to police their particular group room before leaving to make sure chairs are pushed under tables, no paper is lying on desks or on the floor and trash cans are emptied.
* All clients are responsible for cleaning up the area around the outside of the GDRC. Clients who smoke are also responsible for picking up cigarette butts. The Director of the GDRC has the authority to suspend breaks and to impose a no smoking policy and will do so if trash and cigarette butts are not picked up.
* Attendance at "Open" off-site AA/NA meetings must be documented with verification to the GDRC staff.
* Be consider of others in comments and actions.
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Attendance


Unless directed otherwise, clients are required to report to the GDRC or off-site programming as specified by their weekly schedule. For new clients, weekly schedules are distributed when they sign their IPCC or on the first day of programming. Clients are to arrive on time and depart from the Center as their schedule indicates. They are required to leave the premises, including parking lot, immediately after programming has ended.

The GDRC monitors clients attendance by keeping track of their days present, days absent and the days they are late. The reason for the absences or for being late (i.e., medical appointment, no call/no show, no ride, etc.) is also tracked. This information is provided in regular progress reports to the prosecuting attorney and to the court which sentenced the client to GDRC.

The following GDRC programming and community service guidelines apply anytime clients may be absent from GDRC classes or community service:

* Clients are to contact the GDRC anytime they will be absent or late for programming, including off-site programming or for community service. Failure to call will be considered a "No Call/No Show." Missed days, regardless of the reason, will be made up by adding the day missed to the end of their projected completion date at the GDRC.
* Illness - if the illness will cause an absence or late arrival for GDRC programming or for community service, the client is required to call the GDRC at least one (1) hour before their scheduled reporting time. If their illness causes them to be unable to attend GDRC programming or community service, verification from a doctor may be required.
* Emergency - any emergency that would affect attendance for GDRC programming or community service should be reported as soon as possible. GDRC staff will verify the emergency, as appropriate.

Please note, in addition to notifying the GDRC of an absence, it is the client's responsibility to contact the home confinement officer of any absence from the GDRC or any changes in weekly schedules. CLIENTS are personally responsible for calling GDRC to report an absence. GDRC staff will not accept calls from family members except in emergency cases whereby they are not able to use a phone. Calls made by family members will be counted as an unexcused absence.

To date, GDRC has 35 active cases and has had one successful discharge.

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Van Transportation Program


The Greenbrier Day Report Center provides van transportation to Greenbrier County clients who do not have a driver's license and who do not have any other means of transportation to and from the GDRC. Being sentenced to the GDRC does not guarantee that transportation will be provided. Riding the van is a privilege that will be taken away if the client violates any of the transportation program's rules. Eligibility for transportation will be advised at the time the GDRC contract is signed.

Eligibility to ride the van may change during the client's time at the GDRC. Therefore, the client is to advise the staff immediately of any change in their status that may affect their eligibility to ride the van.

Eligibility Criteria to Ride Van

* A license to operate a motor vehicle has been suspended by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
* There is no other means of transportation to and from the GDRC.

Daily Call-in Requirements

The van will not automatically run every day. Clients will not be picked up if they do not call the GDRC to advise for the need of a ride. Do not depend on another client to call for the van and expect to catch it based upon reliance that another client has made the call for a ride. Clients must call the GDRC by the times listed below, depending on their schedule:

* Morning schedule: Will be provided at In-take
* Evening schedule: Will be provided at In-take

Calling for a van ride and then not showing up is a minor violation and will be written up as such. If, after calling, the client fails to show up for a ride on two occasions, privileges to ride the van will be revoked; the client will be required to find their own way to the GDRC.

Van Route and Pick-up Schedule

* The van will travel a set route based upon the location of GDRC clients who are authorized to ride the van.
* The van will travel on main roads only and will stop only at designated pick-up sites. This may require some clients to be on the van for 1½ to 3 hours during the trip to and from the GDRC.
* The van will run each day the GDRC is open and will make three (3) trips per day:

The first trip will be in the morning to transport clients to the GDRC for morning programming.

The second trip will be in mid-afternoon to return morning clients and to pick-up evening clients.

The third and final trip will be in the late evening to return evening clients.

* Pick-up schedules and locations for the van route will be updated as needed to reflect changes due to clients entering and exiting the GDRC program. Clients will be notified whenever changes are made in the schedule. The van will wait at a designated pick-up site for no more than five (5) minutes before continuing to the next location.
* If, for whatever reason, the van does not run on a particular day, clients are responsible for getting thier own transportation to the GDRC on that day. You will be notified whenever the van will not be making pick-ups.

Rules of Conduct While Riding the Van

* Alcoholic beverages and controlled substances are not permitted on the van. Clients will not be permitted on the van if they have alcohol or a controlled substance in their possession.
* Clients will not be permitted on the van if the driver is of the opinion that the client is under the influence of alcohol. Clients will also be denied permission to ride the van if the driver smells alcohol on them.
* Clients will not be permitted on the van if their behavior and actions indicate they are under the influence of a controlled substance. A controlled substance is a substance as defined and listed in Articles 1 and 2 of Chapter 60A of the West Virginia Code (60A-1; 60A-2-1 et seq), as amended.
* Clients will not be permitted to ride the van if they are combative or verbally abusive to the driver or another passenger.
* Clients will be removed from the van if they interfere, or attempt to interfere, with the operation of the van in any manner.
* Clients are not permitted to eat, drink, smoke or chew tobacco while riding in the van.

The van driver is authorized to stop and remove any passenger(s) who, in the driver's opinion, is causing a disturbance which interferes with the safe operation of the van. A violation of any of the van rules of conduct will result in being permanently prohibited from riding the van and will be written up as a major violation.

Van Transportation Fee

A transportation fee of one dollar ($1.00) per day will be assessed to all clients who ride the van. This fee is subject to modification at any time. Clients will be notified of any changes to the fee. If not paid or there is a cumulative total of 10 days worth of unpaid fees, privileges to ride the van will be suspended until after payments are brought up-to-date.

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Violations


The Greenbrier Day Report Center operates with a system of imposed penalties for violations of day report center rules. Failure to comply with GDRC rules and/or your IPCC will constitute a violation. Clients who commit violations are subject to one or more of the following: written reprimand, increase in community service or unsatisfactory program dismissal with return to sentencing judge or magistrate.

Major Violations

A major violation may result in termination from the GDRC program and the issuance of a warrant. Some examples of major violations include, but are not limited to the following, to-wit:

* A new criminal offense.
* Stealing property from the GDRC or a community service site.
* Absconding [which is defined as a period of one (1) day, twenty-four (24) hours or more for which your whereabouts are unaccounted for or unknown to the GDRC staff].
* Threatening/abusive language, assaultive behavior or threatening with and/or use of weapons or objects that may be used as weapons.
* Repeated minor violations.
* Failure to notify GDRC staff of new arrest(s)/charge(s) within two (2) working days of said arrest(s)/charge(s).
* You do not submit to a PBT (Portable Breath Test) for alcohol testing or failure to provide a urine sample for drug testing when requested.
* Any positive urine drug screen or positive PBT alcohol test, received after the initial urine drug screen taken during assessment.
* Interference with operation of the van.

Minor Violations

A minor violation may result in sanctions, such as additional reporting requirements, imposition of additional community service hours or other amendments to your IPCC. Examples of minor violations include but are not limited to the following, to-wit:

* Derogatory or insulting remarks directed to or made about staff members.
* Clients do not constructively participate in programming, including off-site programming or community service.
* Clients do not attend programming, including off-site programming or they do not perform community service as scheduled.
* Clients do not report or call if changes occur in their schedule.
* Clients do not follow their daily schedule.
* Clients do not call the GDRC to notify staff if they are unable to attend programming, including off-site programming or community service, but rather fail to show up and do not call (referred to as "No Call/No Show").
* Clients do not notify staff of changes in their living or work situations.
* Clients do not comply with GDRC rules and regulations or the condition of their IPCC
* Clients disrupt a group or individual session which warrants their removal from the group or individual counseling session. This includes disruption of off-site programming.
* Clients call for a van ride and then do not show up at their designated pick-up site.

An incident report will be completed whenever a violation of GDRC rules occur. GDRC staff will determine, with the approval of the GDRC Director, the sanction to be imposed. Repeated minor violations will be considered a major violation and will result in the same sanction as a major violation. One of the following sanctions will be imposed, depending upon the seriousness of the violation:

* Written reprimand placed in file.
* Written reprimand with imposition of sanctions, such as additional community service hours, written report and/or oral presentation concerning a topic chosen by GDRC staff. A copy of the reprimand will be sent to your probation officer and/or home incarceration officer.
* Written reprimand with notice of the violation sent to the prosecuting attorney requesting that the client be taken back before the court, which handed down the sentence to participate in the GDRC program.
* Dismissal from the GDRC program. A letter will be sent to the prosecuting attorney advising of the client's dismissal from the program and requesting that alternative sentence to the GDRC be revoked and that the client be required to serve their underlying jail or prison sentence.

Even though the above sanctions are listed in order of severity, if the client's first violation is a major violation then they could be dismissed from the program without first having had a less severe sanction imposed. If the violation involves an incident on the van, the client will lose their privilege to ride the van and they will be required to find transportation to and from GDRC.

Failure to keep in touch with GDRC staff and failure to keep GDRC staff honestly advised of problems, concerns, changes and other matters affecting GDRC participation and life in general, are very often the reason clients are unsuccessfully discharged from the GDRC. Clients must remember to KEEP THE STAFF ADVISED OF WHAT IS GOING ON IN THEIR LIVES.

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General Information


Days of Operation

The GDRC office is open daily, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. with some evening classes being held until 8:00 p.m.; Saturdays consists of community service work and Sundays are considered bonding-with-family day.

Closings for legal holidays or other reasons will be posted in the GDRC lobby in advance of the events.

Emergency Contacts

If you must contact GDRC staff during non-duty hours, weekends, evenings, etc., for EMERGENCIES, you may call (304) 647.6675 to leave a message. Please note that GDRC staff will not be available to immediately return your call. Collect calls cannot be accepted by GDRC staff.

ARREST(S)/NEW CHARGE(S) are NOT considered emergencies requiring contact with GDRC staff on weekends or evenings. These must be reported within two (2) working days of said arrest(s)/new charge(s) and can wait until the next business day to report. Report an arrest, etc., as soon as possible during our normal working hours.

Daily Participation Fee

A participation fee will be charged for each day's attendance at GDRC programming. At the current time this fee is fifteen dollars ($15.00) per week. The fee is not currently charged to GDRC clients who are also on home incarceration and paying a daily home incarceration fee. If the daily participation fee is increased, the client will be notified in writing of the amount of the new daily fee. The client will also be notified in writing if the current policy of not charging home incarceration clients the GDRC participation fee is changed to start assessing the fee.

Consent for Disclosure of Information

In order to be accepted into the GDRC program, clients must sign a release of information form to enable GDRC staff to contact the client's doctor or other medical professionals, probation officer, home incarceration officer, prosecuting attorney, judge or magistrate to obtain and provide information relevant to participation in the GDRC programming.

Expectations

* The Director and staff of the GDRC will treat the client with respect and deal with them honestly. Likewise, the Director and staff expect the same courtesy from the client.
* Clients are expected to report on time and check in with a GDRC staff person upon their arrival at the GDRC.
* Clients are expected to attend and participate in all assigned meetings, classes, groups and community service assignments.
* Clients are expected to contact all staff prior to an absence or late arrival.
* Lastly, the staff of the GDRC, Probation Officers and Home Incarceration Officers of Greenbrier County all work together not only to insure the safety of the public but also work together to ensure that each client has an opportunity to improve his/her life. Therefore, we hope and expect that clients will give their best effort every day. Ultimately, the amount of effort put into the programming will determine what is gotten out of it.

Early Release from the Program

The GDRC has a policy whereby clients who attend programming as scheduled, perform community service as scheduled and have not been a discipline problem are eligible for early release from the GDRC program. GDRC staff reviews each client every three (3) months from their start date in the program. When deciding whether or not to recommend a client for early release, staff will review the following, to-wit;

* Length of original sentence versus number of months participation in GDRC programming;
* The status of payments toward court costs, fines, restitution, GDRC participation fee and home incarceration fee;
* Attendance record in GDRC programming and community service;
* Participation in group and individual counseling sessions;
* Successful completion of assigned programming;
* Results of drug and alcohol testing (all test results after initial test should be negative);
* Whether or not the client has exhibited a general cooperative attitude in programming and in interaction with staff and other clients;
* Whether or not the client has performed their community service as scheduled; and
* Whether or not the client has any violations of GDRC rules and, if so, the nature of the violations.

Upon reviewing the above criteria, GDRC staff will make a decision as to whether or not to make a recommendation to the GDRC Director that you be considered for an early release from the program. If the Director concurs with the recommendation, a letter will be sent to the sentencing court recommending the client be released from further participation in the program.

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Eligibility Requirements


Participants in the Greenbrier Day Report Center are referred by Circuit Court, Magistrate Court, Prosecuting Attorney, Defense Attorney, Department of Health and Human Resources and Family Court.

To be eligible fo

Eligibility Requirements


Participants in the Greenbrier Day Report Center are referred by Circuit Court, Magistrate Court, Prosecuting Attorney, Defense Attorney, Department of Health and Human Resources and Family Court.

To be eligible for referral, a person must be an adult charged with a nonviolent felony or misdemeanor offense and have a substance abuse problem. All participants must submit to substance evaluations, random drug screens, PBT test if needed and participate in all forms of treatment classes inside and outside Greenbrier Day Report Center.

If an offender has a prior felony conviction in which he/she used force against another person with intent to cause serious bodily harm or death or if an offender is currently charged with a sexual offense or any offense involving a child victim or offense involving the illegal use of a firearm or other dangerous weapon, he/she is not eligible for Greenbrier Day Report Center. If death or serious bodily injury occurred to any person during an offender's crime or if any offender used force against another person during an offender's crime or if any offender used force against another person during the crime, he/she is not eligible for Greenbrier Day Report Center.

Program participants help the community
By Michelle James
Register-Herald Reporter

Participants in the Raleigh Day Report Center are hard at work sprucing up the county’s adult probation office.

Day Report program director Miranda Elkins says the men and women, who, as a condition of their probation have been ordered to attend Day Report, are painting the offices as part of their community service requirement.

The center, which opened in January 2007, is an alternative sentencing tool, allowing convicted criminals with drug and alcohol problems an opportunity to stay out of jail while receiving supervision, treatment, drug screening and completing community service.

Additionally, the program saves Raleigh County taxpayers an estimated $250,000 by cutting the number of inmates sent to Southern Regional Jail.

’We’re holding them accountable,’ Elkins said, explaining the community service requirement helps them give back to the communities in which their crimes were committed.

Elkins says participants are involved in several community service projects, helping with the Humane Society, AA/NA hotlines, litter control and, most recently, working with Raleigh County Sheriff Steve Tanner to clean up abandoned lots and buildings.

Because transportation is often a problem for Day Report participants, Elkins said the Raleigh County Commission has recently provided a van.

’We pick them (participants) up at their residence and transport them wherever their community service is throughout Raleigh County and then transport them back home,’ she said.

Fletcher Bowden, chief probation officer for Raleigh County, said he believes Day Report is an excellent program.

’It’s good for the people of Raleigh County because they’re (participants) giving back to the community and saving taxpayers money,’ he said. ’They’re getting treatment and hopefully they’ll be productive citizens.’

Elkins said any organizations interested in partnering with Day Report in a community service project can contact her at 304-255-3794.

I think you need to investigate!!! It sounds like a program that you could really mess with. Why, I imagine you could bring it down! LOCK 'EM UP! Hell, if you had it your way, half the Courthouse would be on community service!

alderman the easy way to get amswers to your questions is pick up the telephone and call travis carter over in elkins as was mentioned before instead of coming on here and starting more crap,as a reporter I believe that is one of the first things they teach you.oops

Does anybody know if you refuse a drug test at day report do you sign a paper saying you refuse that drug test.One of the magistrate said there are more people in jail from day report than any thing else.This program is supposed to keep people out of jail.Too save the county money.

Just my input on several of the questions raised:

I have a college degree and have never had so much as a speeding ticket much less on community corrections. Guess what?

I have to supply my own transportation.
I buy my own outer clothing for winter and rain.
I often work alone, where you have to use the woods for a restroom.
And I have to pay for my own lunch (all 3 hots).

Not feeling too sorry here.