Community Corrections serving Sherman and Wasco counties has the responsibility for supervising adult criminal offenders sentenced to probation by the Court or released to parole or post-prison supervision from a correctional facility and who reside in the Sherman and Wasco County area. We work closely with local law enforcement, the Courts, the District Attorney’s offices, DHS, and our local treatment and polygraph providers. Our services are funded by the Oregon Department of Corrections and offender fees.

Community corrections provides a cost-effective means to hold offenders accountable while at the same time addressing the causes of criminal behavior and reducing the risk of future criminal behavior. Each aspect of community corrections — supervision, sanctions, and services — is important to this approach.

Community Corrections has embraced Evidence-Based Practices (EBP) in its mission to deliver supervision to our offender population. This practice uses detailed offender assessments, interactive motivational interviewing, and correlated sanctions and services to reduce risk and promote offender change.

Sanctions may include jail, electronic surveillance, community work crew, community service, or increased reporting.  Working with community agencies to provide other services such as alcohol/drug treatment, sex offender treatment, domestic violence treatment, and mental health services also are important for long-term behavioral change.

All Adult Parole and Probation Officers attend the Department of Public Safety Standards & Training (DPSST) Academy and are certified through the State of Oregon.  

Parole and Probation Officer duties include:

• Unscheduled/unannounced visits with offenders at their home, work, or other community locations;
• Searches when needed; and
• In-office visits.

Our Officers also:

• Gather information from collateral sources,
• Prepare release plans for clients returning to the community or soon to be released from DOC custody,
• Conduct assessments to determine risk level and needs,
• Develop case plans,
• Randomly test for substance abuse,
• Make referrals to treatment programs and have ongoing contact with the treatment providers,
• Report to releasing authorities, courts, Parole Board, and the Local Supervisory Authority,
• Recommend "appropriate" sanctions including probation terminations (typically for offenders who pose a high risk of re-offending).

Northern Oregon Regional Correctional Facilities (NORCOR) is a Regional Adult Jail and Juvenile Detention Correction Facility complex that serves four counties. Gilliam, Hood River, Sherman, and Wasco counties operate this facility — setting a national precedent for multi-county collaboration.