The Muskogee County Sheriff’s Office won accolades from observers for improvements made during its first year of operating the city’s Community Intervention Center.

Sheriff Charles Pearson was awarded the contract in June 2007 after Muskogee County Council on Youth Services withdrew its request to renew the annual contract. The City Council is expected to renew the $70,000 a year contract for another year when it meets Tuesday.

MCCOYS’ operation of the center, which provides short-term detention space for nonviolent juvenile offenders, came under fire by local law enforcers and was criticized by the Office of Juvenile Affairs.

Since Pearson began operating the center, which was moved to Muskogee County/City Detention Facility, the number of youths served has nearly doubled. Officials attributed the increase to resources available to the sheriff’s office that allow the detention of juveniles under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

In addition to being able to serve more clients — a fact that allows law enforcers to return to duty within minutes of dropping off an offender — Pearson said his staff has been able to engage offenders in ways he hopes will reduce recidivism.

City Attorney Frank Medearis told city councilors this past week that Pearson’s efforts have won the approval of local judges and the district attorney’s office. Medearis recommended approval of the annual contract.

Ward IV Councilor Jim Ritchey also praised Pearson’s efforts.

“He has done a remarkable job with it,” Ritchey said of Pearson’s oversight of the program. “We’re going to be looking at it each year to see where we can make it better. Right now we are looking at implementing an intermediate-sanctions program that will help us deal with repeat offenders.

For those repeat offenders, Pearson said he is considering hiring additional staffers who would oversee juvenile offenders ordered to perform community service as punishment.

“There are a lot of different things they can do — wash ambulances, clean up cemeteries,” Pearson said. “Those who fail to perform won’t be given credit toward their fines.”

Medearis said the Community Intervention Center provides a safe place for nonviolent juveniles who have been picked up for minor infractions until they are retrieved by a parent or guardian.