240 - Office of probation and correctional alternatives.

§ 240. Office  of  probation  and  correctional alternatives. 1. There  shall be in the division of  criminal  justice  services  an  office  of  probation and correctional alternatives, hereinafter referred to in this  article as "the office". The head of the office shall be the director of  probation  and  correctional alternatives, who shall be appointed by the  commissioner, subject to the approval of the governor.    2. The director  shall  serve  as  special  advisor  to  the  governor  regarding   matters   pertaining   to   probation  and  alternatives  to  incarceration.  The   director   shall,   in   consultation   with   the  commissioner,  coordinate  and make recommendations relating to the type  and nature of alternative to incarceration  programs  needed  to  reduce  incarceration  where the purpose of such incarceration can be adequately  served by alternative programs  and  shall  work  with  local  probation  departments  and  the  commissioner  to  enhance  and  develop probation  services and alternative to incarceration programs throughout the state.    3. The commissioner, in consultation with the director, shall  appoint  staff and perform such other functions to ensure the efficient operation  of   the   office   within   the  amounts  made  available  therefor  by  appropriation.    4. As used in  this  article,  the  term  "director"  shall  mean  the  director  of  the  office  of  probation  and correctional alternatives,  "office"  shall  mean  the  office   of   probation   and   correctional  alternatives, "commissioner" shall mean the commissioner of the division  of  criminal  justice services and "division" shall mean the division of  criminal justice services.