The recent merger of Starke County Community Corrections with the County Probation Department will result in better services, as well as cost savings. That’s according to Shawn Mattraw. He’s the director of the new entity, known as Starke County Court Services. “Well, the big difference is that it’s going to [be] a cost savings,” he says, “The past structure, when we were separate entities, we had a director in Community Corrections and a chief probation officer. Those positions were funded pretty nicely. Now, those positions have been eliminated, and it’s just me.”
Mattraw Named New Chief Probation Officer, Arrests Made in Recent Compliance Check
Chief Probation Officer Tenders Resignation
Starke County’s Chief Probation Officer is leaving the position after 10 years.
John Thorstad’s resignation is effective today (Thursday, March 1). According to Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall, Thorstad was recently recognized by the Judicial Conference of Indiana with the highest award for a probation officer who “exemplified professionalism and commitment to transform lives, making our community safer for everybody.”
Starke, Pulaski Counties Join Juvenile Justice Initiative
Starke and Pulaski Counties will have more options for juvenile offenders thanks to an expanded state program. They are among 13 counties the state is adding to the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) this year. It seeks to improve outcomes for underage offenders while ensuring public safety. Continue reading
Starke County Receives Community Corrections Grants
Starke County has gotten over $103,000 in grant funding from the Indiana Department of Correction. A grant for over $80,000 has been awarded to Starke County Community Corrections to increase case management services and surveillance of those taking part in its programs, while another grant for nearly $23,000 is going to the Starke County Circuit Court Probation Department. Continue reading
Local Probation Officer Receives Order of Augustus Award
The Chief Probation Officer of the Starke County Probation Department recently received a prestigious state award.
John Thorstad is this year’s recipient of the Order of Augustus Award in the memory of John Augustus, who is known as the “Father of Probation.” Augustus started the rehabilitation movement in corrections.
Thorstad was nominated by his staff. His nomination was then voted on by the Probation Officers Advisory Board, which is a branch of the Indiana Supreme Court.
The award is given to one probation officer in the state each year.
Starke County Community Corrections Discusses House Bill
Thorstad Says Jail Overcrowding Doesn’t Affect Probation Much
WKVI has been focusing on the work of the Starke County Probation Office this week. The four-person office is directed by Chief Probation Officer John Thorstad.
Thorstad explained that his office receives some much-needed assistance from the Community Corrections Program.
“Community Corrections has had a huge impact. It has relieved jail overcrowding. They have a program called ‘Thinking For a Change,’ which forces people to look in the mirror and decide how they want to change,” Thorstad said.
Methamphetamine Prevalence In Starke County Adversely Affects Probation
A post was recently made on the WKVI Discussion board that read, “I work at a local factory for minimum type wages. I have two children and a wife. We’re falling more and more behind every day. Selling meth is looking better all the time.”
Could the economy behind the methamphetamine epidemic in Indiana? John Thorstad, Starke County’s Chief Probation Officer, said the economy might be part of the answer, but fast, easy money is probably more of a reason for producing and selling methamphetamine. He did, however, say law enforcement is having great success in closing down operations here.
