Community Corrections Director Resigns
WARSAW — Several resignations were accepted by the Kosciusko County Community Corrections Board at its quarterly meeting Monday, Oct. 10.
Kurt Jones, director of the Kosciusko County Community Corrections, has resigned from his position. “Enough individuals have come to me voicing their concerns about my ability to lead this program,” Jones stated. Adding he stated he did not want to pull down or have the the program go in a negative way. Jones began his job April 18.
His resignation was accepted by the board, with the search for a new director to get underway. Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Michael Reed thanked Jones for the work he has put in, and the base for the program he developed to build upon and continue in the future.
The resignation of Richard Petry from the board was also noted. However, Layne Sumner, Warsaw Police Department Chaplain, was approved as a board member. He will replace Kosciusko Superior Court 2 Judge Joe Sutton, who resigned as a lay person in July.
During the brief meeting of the board the community corrections policy was approved as well as graduated sanctions and incentives. An executive committee will be established to handle issues between quarterly meetings. The policy includes such areas as the department’s mission, home visits, drug screens, case plan, sanctions and incentives, and firearms use of force policy among others. Jones noted the graduated sanctions and incentives were modeled after other county programs.
The board approved the creation of line items in the vehicle fund to track how money is spent. The creation of miscellaneous, vehicle fuel and vehicle up keep line items were approved with dollar amounts approved to be moved into those line items or new funds.
Jones provided an update on the project, reporting $22,666 received since June 29, when the first individual was placed in the home detention program. Three more individuals were placed in the program this month. It was noted this was a net amount as grant funds are still being used at this time. The funds are being set aside to grow for use when grant funds are no longer available.
Jones noted there are currently 20 offenders in the program, five have completed and another 20 are waiting to be placed in the program.
Meeting dates for 2017 were established. Quarterly meetings will be held at 6 p.m. Jan. 9, April 17, July 10 and Oct. 9. The meetings are open to the public and held in the multi-purpose room in the lower level of the county justice building.