The Ironton Municipal Court kept its streak going.

For the second straight year, the municipal court's Intensive Supervision Program was recognized by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections as one of the top three supervised probation programs in the state.

Funded through a Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Grant, the program began in May

2000 and currently works with approximately 70 individuals.

"Once again, I am extremely pleased to be selected as one of the top three programs within the state of Ohio," Ironton Municipal Judge O. Clark Collins Jr. said.

"Intensive supervision has been a positive force in decreasing the number of repeat offenders along with increasing the collection of fines, costs, community service hours worked and restitution to victims."

The Intensive Supervised Probation program works with defendants convicted of misdemeanor crimes such as driving under the influence, driving on a suspended license, theft, drug abuse and domestic abuse.

The program differs from regular probation in that offenders are required to maintain weekly visits with a probation officer instead of monthly visits. They are also encouraged to maintain employment and continue their education. Defendants must undergo random drug testing and are often required to make weekly restitution payments.