New probation building allows for expanded programs

NEWARK – When Licking County Adult Court Services Director Scott Fulton moved his department to a new building, he knew more space would provide increased opportunities for people on felony probation.

What he didn’t realize is what the new space would mean to his staff.

“I never realized how much having a window and a bathroom would mean,” Fulton said.

The department moved to its new location at 2 N. First St. in downtown Newark in early May from the ground floor of the Licking County Courthouse.

The building was purchased from the Media Network of Central Ohio, which includes The Advocate, for $260,000.

The probation department had to make some upgrades to the building, building about 65 feet of walls to separate offices while adding doors and security equipment.

Fulton said nearly 1,000 man-hours were used in painting the interior of the building, and the couple who did most of the work were able to complete their community service obligations and pay down fines owed in common pleas and municipal courts.

Because of issues with driver’s licenses, Fulton said, he would sometimes pick up people who were working in the building, help them with their project and take them home.

Probationers also helped with moving furniture and files from the Licking County Courthouse to the new space. Old case files dating back to 1978 were moved from the attic of the courthouse to the basement of the First Street building. Fulton said 194 boxes of those files, dating from 1978 through 2004, were ultimately shredded because they were no longer needed.

Tables and chairs for a downstairs conference room also were donated by the Licking County Park District.

The new space will allow for group meetings to be held in the basement of the building, beginning with the Thinking for a Change group Monday evening. A small office space in the basement will be used by counselors and other agencies to see patients while they visit their probation officer, Fulton said.

In the future, Fulton hopes additional programs and groups can meet in the facility, offering even more opportunities for those on probation to get assistance.

Probation officers also have the ability in the new building to meet with clients privately instead of in shared offices with partial walls, providing a more relaxed environment for everyone, Fulton said.

The new office space includes designated bathrooms to be used for drug testing as well as a lab space to test urine samples and enter the results into the computer.

Although the probation office has moved from the courthouse, the department still has two desks in a small space on the ground floor to complete paperwork with people immediately after hearings. Drug testing equipment also is stored there.

Changes to the building are not yet finished, though. Fulton said plans are in the works to add a concrete ramp to make the entrance more handicapped-accessible. Signs for the exterior of the building are supposed to be installed this month.

An open house will be from 3 to 6 p.m. July 14 to allow the public to see the new building.

If you go

What: Adult Court Services building open house

When: 3 to 6 p.m. July 14

Where: 2 N. First St., Newark