Nebraska State Probation Adjusting to Pandemic

BEATRICE – Nebraska State Probation is still serving clients, the community, crime victims and the judicial system….but like nearly all other operations, the coronavirus pandemic has prompted a few adjustments.

"What has changed is just what the operations look like...and what that communications looks like. We've really utilized technology to support what our communication looks like with our clients or the judiciary system".

Ashley Griess is District One Chief Probation Officer. The district has reporting centers in Beatrice and Nebraska City, and offices throughout ten southeast Nebraska Counties.
Griess says all staff members are working, but on a modified shift rotation…with some personnel in the office, and some working remotely.
Persons on probation frequently submit to drug and alcohol testing and Griess says state probation has been able to continue doing that, with a slightly modified system.

"We have drug testing patches that we utilize. We also have other methods to determine alcohol use, like alcohol monitors that we previously have used".

In Beatrice, Nebraska State Probation is located on the second floor of the Beatrice Police Department building. The Beatrice Office would typically have about 25 staff members working from that center.  Griess says technology is playing a role in those cases where probation clients are on intensive supervision, or taking programs aimed at helping them become more productive citizens.

"We're able to use video conferencing with our providers, who have been very supportive during the pandemic in providing programming for our clients".

Griess says since the pandemic altered operations, there doesn’t seem to be any greater incidence of persons violating terms of their probation sentence.
"This has really opened our eyes to see that we can use technology to work with our clients to maintain that compliance...and provide them with the support they need during these trying times. It has kind of given us the opportunity to expand what that looks like in some of our more remote areas".

District One serves both adults and juveniles on probation. Operating during the pandemic, Griess says, has been a real learning experience, but has also allowed the agency and community to work closely together.