NO-BARS program could reduce jail population, state costs - WSFA.com Montgomery Alabama news.

NO-BARS program could reduce jail population, state costs

FREMONT, OH (Toledo News Now) -

For some people, it's just a court-ordered sentence For others, it's a second chance at life. Regardless of the reason, NO-BARS is changing lives in Fremont.

Last November, Sandusky County started a new program called Northwest Ohio Behavior And Reporting Service, which gives offenders the option to right their wrongs instead of serving time behind bars.

"A lot of people are defensive when they come into our office. They automatically assume that we're out to get them," said Daniel Sanchez, chief probation officer with the Fremont Municipal Court.

It's the 90-day mark for a program that's giving alcoholics, drug addicts and domestic violence offenders a second chance. To date, Fremont Municipal Court has referred more than 60 people to NO-BARS.

"Judge [Robert] Hart has been very proactive with the program, and I think with the program, it gives the offenders accountability. It allows them to show a proven track record by random drug testing, showing up on time for their appointments..." explained Sanchez.

So far, several people with alcohol-related offenses have completed the program and successfully avoided jail time. The rest of the trial class is still getting treatment.

Only a couple of offenders have not complied with the program's rules. Those who don't go to class must face their probation officer, and likely jail time.

"It's hard to say what happens to an offender after they walk out the door. There's no extended monitoring after that, but I certainly like to think that we made a great improvement in that individual's life. It's a good feeling to know that we're helping somebody," said Jarrett Roesch, program coordinator for NO-BARS.

Everything from anger management classes, mental health evaluations, and random drug testing is offered at NO-BARS. Officials say in the long run, this could be the answer to decreasing local jail populations and saving money for the state.

Currently, NO-BARS is only offered to offenders referred by the court.

Mobile users, click on the "Video" button in the app to watch this story. Download our app here.

Copyright 2014 Toledo News Now. All rights reserved.

  • Trending StoriesTrending StoriesMore>>

  • FBI arrests 120, recovers 84 children in human trafficking sting

    FBI arrests 120, recovers 84 children in human trafficking sting

    Thursday, October 19 2017 7:04 AM EDT2017-10-19 11:04:01 GMT
    Thursday, October 19 2017 7:42 AM EDT2017-10-19 11:42:20 GMT

    The youngest victim recovered this year was a 3-month-old girl, and the average age of victims recovered during the operation was 15 years old. 

    More >>

    The youngest victim recovered this year was a 3-month-old girl, and the average age of victims recovered during the operation was 15 years old. 

    More >>

  • A painful pumpkin patch warning about ticks

    A painful pumpkin patch warning about ticks

    Thursday, October 19 2017 9:23 AM EDT2017-10-19 13:23:08 GMT
    A California woman warning about ticks in the pumpkin patch. (Source: Facebook)A California woman warning about ticks in the pumpkin patch. (Source: Facebook)

    A woman has taken to Facebook with a painful warning for anyone heading to pumpkin patches this fall.  In the post Jennifer Velasquez says she contracted Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever after wearing flip-flops and shorts to a pumpkin patch.  Jennifer Velasquez

    More >>

    A woman has taken to Facebook with a painful warning for anyone heading to pumpkin patches this fall.  In the post Jennifer Velasquez says she contracted Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever after wearing flip-flops and shorts to a pumpkin patch.  Jennifer Velasquez

    More >>

  • Trauma surgeons take lifesaving measures after man's legs caught in grain auger

    Trauma surgeons take lifesaving measures after man's legs caught in grain auger

    Thursday, October 19 2017 7:32 PM EDT2017-10-19 23:32:09 GMT
    A farm accident between Plainview and Floydada led to life-saving measures by an emergency rescue and trauma team (Source: TTUHSC)A farm accident between Plainview and Floydada led to life-saving measures by an emergency rescue and trauma team (Source: TTUHSC)

    A farm accident between Plainview and Floydada led to life-saving measures by an emergency rescue and trauma team Tuesday (October 17th). Fifty-nine year-old Leo Martinez was trapped when his legs were caught inside of a 20-foot tall grain auger cart, causing severe life-threatening injuries.

    More >>

    A farm accident between Plainview and Floydada led to life-saving measures by an emergency rescue and trauma team Tuesday (October 17th). Fifty-nine year-old Leo Martinez was trapped when his legs were caught inside of a 20-foot tall grain auger cart, causing severe life-threatening injuries.

    More >>
    •   
Powered by Frankly