Youthful Offender Program

In response to the growing number of young offenders entering the adult correctional system, the Iowa Eighth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services developed and implemented the Youthful Offender Program. Its primary goal as an intensive supervision program is to intervene in the further criminality of the community’s at-risk youth.

In partnership with many community agencies and resources, YOP draws from a variety of community resources to provide a holistic approach to the rehabilitation of youthful offenders. The program is designed as an intervention/sentencing alternative for targeted offenders, age 16 to 21, charged with a first-time aggravated misdemeanor or felony in adult court. A prior minor criminal record does not disqualify an offender from entering the program if otherwise qualified. Individuals charged with serious injury or assault involving a weapon will be assessed on an individual basis. Each offender is supervised by a probation/parole officer and must comply with all supervision conditions to remain eligible for the program.

Full participation in the program requires an initial screening and intake by YOP staff members and participation in a number of innovative programs and classes evolving around education, substance abuse, behavioral changes and job readiness. In addition, each offender must complete a minimum 100 hours of community service and participate in the victim-offender mediation program. Another unique component of the program is the community accountability board which exists to hold both offenders and staff accountable in achieving program goals and objectives.

YOP staff members use a variety of tools to monitor offenders’ behaviors and enforce program rules: intensive supervision, random drug/alcohol testing, electronic monitoring, house arrest, swift response to violations, peer sanctioning, random home visits and a close relationship with the supervising officer.

Other program components include substance abuse education, reasoning skills, pre-employment, street law, non-violent alternatives, project reality, conflict resolution, and the weekend experience.

Individual programming and treatment based on individual assessments include inpatient and outpatient substance abuse treatment, aftercare and relapse; mentoring; and mental health counseling. Offenders lacking a high school diploma are required to return to school or earn a GED equivalency degree.

The District maintains two Youthful Offender Programs in Burlington and Lee County, respectively. For more information follow the links in the left column, or to make a referral, contact:

Burlington and Lee County Youthful Offender Programs

214 N. 4th

Peterson Building, Suite 3E

Burlington, IA 52601

Patrick Lacy, Probation/Parole Officer III

Ph. (319) 753-5478 Ext. 127