Most juveniles who go through the court system remain at home under probation supervision. The time period is usually one year but the courts may lengthen probation time to age 18. Probation supervision and rehabilitative services for youth and their families are provided from nine sites located throughout Harris County known as CUPS (community unit probation services) offices. During 2005, an average of 4,863 juveniles was under supervision by the Probation Services Division each month.

When a juvenile has been declared delinquent, the court sets rules of probation. General rules include completing community service restitution hours, attending school or holding a job, not leaving the county without the probation officer’s permission, curfew hours, restrictions on motor vehicle use and submitting to drug testing upon request. In addition, monetary restitution may be required and the juvenile may be referred to counseling and educational programs.

The department and the Precinct 1 Constable’s Office have created a “Top 30 Most Wanted List” of youth who have either absconded from the courts or who have left a court-ordered placement without permission. The Gang Supervision Caseload program focuses on the sharing of information about gang members. In a collaborative effort with the Mayor’s Anti-Gang Office and AAMA (Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans), 283 youth were monitored in 2005. Tattoo removal is available through a partnership with the City of Houston and graffiti abatement projects are done on a regular basis. One juvenile probation officer participates in the federally funded Gang Free Schools initiative.

Relapse Prevention Supervision is an aftercare plan for youth released from drug treatment. In 2005, a juvenile probation officer trained and licensed as a chemical dependency counselor supervised 25 youth.