Oklahoma County Court Programs deliver for its Citizens

Contact: Commissioner Jim Roth
Phone: (405) 713-1501

Oklahoma County (March 20th, 2007) – Oklahoma City – The Oklahoma County Board of County Commissioners recently recognized the outstanding work of the Oklahoma County Community Service Program. During 2006, the program had a 34% increase of new cases received from the Judges.

The Community Service Program is an alternative sanction program for post conviction clients. Funded by Oklahoma County; the Community Service Program works with District Judges in handling criminal defendants who have been required to perform community service as part of their sentences. The program's mission is to require offenders to pay a debt to society. Although some justice practitioners view mandated Community Service as simple punishment, others believe that community service can provide offenders with opportunities to “give back” to those they have harmed, creating a restorative effect on the offenders, their victims, and the community.

The Oklahoma County Program places defendants with one of over 100 government agencies and non-profit organizations, which are approved by District Judges. During the initial interview, the In-Take manager assesses the offender’s charge, skills, transportation availability and schedule. Based upon these factors and community needs, appropriate referrals are made to agencies such as the Oklahoma City Zoo and the State Fairgrounds. The total number of work scheduled during 2006 was over 81,500 hours.

Community Service is a sentencing alternative which serves the courts and the community by placing nonviolent offenders into unpaid community service positions with non-profit or tax supported community agencies in lieu of jail. After evaluating criteria such as criminal history and severity of the crime, offenders are sentenced to this alternative criminal justice program.

Community Service benefits:

• The Justice System by providing an equitable, cost-effective sanction, which requires constructive expenditures of offenders’ time, energies and interests. It also gives Judges an additional sentencing tool to alleviate jail overcrowding.
• The Offenders as they are able to make non-monetary restitution to society which enables them to maintain family ties and continue working. They also gain work experience, occupational skills, and training. The client (offender) receives work experience and exposure to work ethics, a positive structuring of free time and an opportunity to develop a sense of pride and accomplishment.
• The Community by saving taxpayers jail costs and returning thousands of hours of valuable work performed by volunteers.

The mission of the Oklahoma County Court Services unit is to maintain the public's safety while effectively diverting non-dangerous offenders from incarceration through placement in community-based programs.

Hours Worked per Agency