FAQs • St. Joseph County, IN • CivicEngage

What is the difference between probation and parole?: Probation is for offenders who serve their sentences under community supervision, generally instead of incarceration.

Parole is for offenders who have been conditionally released from prison to serve the rest of their sentence in the community. The state Parole Board determines which offenders are eligible to be released on parole.

Parolees and Probationers must both abide by conditions set either by the sentencing court or the Parole Board. These conditions can include the payment of fines or court costs, participation in treatment for mental health or substance abuse, random drug testing, and regular meetings with a probation officer.

Failure to comply with these conditions can result in sanctions, up to and including revocation. Revocation usually requires offenders to serve the remainder of their sentence incarcerated, either in jail or with the state Department of Correction.

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Community Corrections

1. I have a community service project and need volunteers. How can I sign-up to be an approved site for Community Service through Community Corrections?: Contact the Community Service Coordinator

2. What is Community Supervision?: Many convicted offenders are only incarcerated for a portion of their sentences, if they are incarcerated at all. Those offenders who serve their sentences in the community are monitored by a variety of agencies to protect public safety. Community Supervision consists of these community-based programs, including Work Release, Home Detention, Probation and Parole.

For more information, view the Community Supervision page.

3. What is the difference between jail and prison?: In Indiana, jails are locally-run corrections facilities, while prisons are administered at the state level. In St. Joseph County, the Sheriff runs the County Jail. The Indiana Department of Correction manages the state’s prisons.

Jails are used to hold individuals who are awaiting trial; either because they were not eligible to be released on bond or could not afford to. Jails also house offenders who have been sentenced to serve shorter sentences, usually less than one year.

Prisons are used to house offenders who have been sentenced to serve more than one year.

4. What is the difference between probation and parole?: Probation is for offenders who serve their sentences under community supervision, generally instead of incarceration.

Parole is for offenders who have been conditionally released from prison to serve the rest of their sentence in the community. The state Parole Board determines which offenders are eligible to be released on parole.

Parolees and Probationers must both abide by conditions set either by the sentencing court or the Parole Board. These conditions can include the payment of fines or court costs, participation in treatment for mental health or substance abuse, random drug testing, and regular meetings with a probation officer.

Failure to comply with these conditions can result in sanctions, up to and including revocation. Revocation usually requires offenders to serve the remainder of their sentence incarcerated, either in jail or with the state Department of Correction.

5. Does DuComb Center house males or females in Work Release?: DuComb Center currently houses both male and female clients within the facility. DuComb is divided into two housing units; one for male clients and the other for females. The male unit can house up to 88 men. The female unit can house up to 20 women.