Project Pro

(This Program is monitored by Porter County PACT)

(Since January, 1997)

PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: Project PRO (Prevent Recurring Offenses) is a multi-disciplinary program developed by the Porter County Judiciary, Adult and Juvenile Probation Departments, Prosecutor's Office and Porter Starke Services to prevent recurring sexual offenses. Prior to the development of Project PRO in 1997, the Porter County Court System did not have an uniformity in the assessment, punishment and supervision of sex offenders. The offender pays for all treatment and counseling.

OPTIMAL USE: All sex offenders to have a Psychosexual Assessment completed prior to sentencing. This evaluation assists the Court of Porter County in determining the length of incarceration that is appropriate and if an offender is a candidate for treatment at sentencing.

If the Psychosexual Assessment indicates a Probationer is appropriate for treatment, the Probationer, upon release from incarceration, is ordered to participate in Project PRO as a condition of Probation. Ideally, a minimum of three (3) years in this program is recommended.

1. Probation conducts high risk supervision (weekly contact) along with a Probation Officer attending every weekly group therapy session.
2. Polygraph testing at least every four (4) months by a sex offender specific Poligrapher who is trained in sex offender specific polygraph testing.
3. Project PRO Therapists, trained specifically for this type of offense, provide treatment through weekly group and individual sessions.

TARGETED OFFENDER POPULATION: All sex offenders who are known to the Porter County Court System. This includes Adults and Juveniles, Felony and Misdemeanants, Transfers from other jurisdictions, etc. The majority of Probationers in this program are pedophiles but the program is for all sex offenders.