HOW WE SERVE
DCS employs evidence-based practices to hold offenders accountable and reduce the state ’ s recidivism rate . We also help offenders access opportunities to make positive changes while in the community by providing individual support , programming , and connections to resources .
In addition , DCS is responsible for providing oversight to private and governmental misdemeanor probation entities . While the supervision responsibility of misdemeanor probation cases does not reside with DCS , we do provide the oversight infrastructure needed to ensure the integrity of Georgia ’ s misdemeanor probation system .
The Georgia Commission on Family Violence is administratively attached to DCS . The alignment of our agencies allows us to better identify and respond to domestic violence and its impacts within the families we serve .
EVIDENCE-BASED SUPERVISION
DCS ’ s Enhanced Supervision Program ( ESP ) is a supervision model that enables our CSOs to serve as agents of change for the offenders they supervise .
Traditional officer-offender interactions primarily focus on the officer ’ s responsibility to monitor offenders ’ compliance , which can create a tone of confrontation . Meanwhile , research shows that the quality of the relationship between the officer and offender and the content of the discussions they have during their interactions are significant factors in offenders ’ chances of success .
ESP replaces the traditional , often ineffective model of officer-offender interactions with one designed to facilitate strong , trust-based relationships that encourage offenders to choose positive changes for themselves .
More than 300 DCS officers have completed ESP training . DCS now includes ESP as part of the Basic Community Supervision Officer Training course for all incoming CSOs .
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Georgia Department of Community Supervision