Establishing a partnership between the Massachusetts Probation Service and the State Police has almost tripled the number of probation absconders returned to the state during 2005.

One year ago, state officials organized the partnership to find and apprehend the most violent criminals in Massachusetts, including sex offenders. Now, if violent fugitives flee the state, officials can apprehend them if they have information of their whereabouts.

“This partnership definitely works,” says Donna Reed, interstate compact coordinator for Massachusetts Probation Services. “We would certainly recommend it to other states. It makes so much sense to do this. We have a good working relationship with the state police now and it's opened communications across the board.”

As part of the partnership between both organizations, State Police can gather information on parole absconders through warrant checks or probation service alerts. An  indictment can then be drawn up and the fugitive brought back to the state.

“When someone leaves the state illegally, it's no longer the end of it,” says Reed.

In the last nine months, 78 adults and 48 juveniles were apprehended. Officials also picked up sex offenders who had not registered and people who had violated their probation by leaving the Massachusetts area.

“When we apprehend someone, they can now be arraigned as a fugitive,” says Reed. “It's much easier now to begin the procedure to bring someone back to the state.”

Massachusetts is not the only state making partnerships. In California, officials have taken extra steps to create a joint venture between the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force. With CDCR parole agents sworn in as U.S. Marshals this week to help with the task force, officials on the west coast are reporting an equally successful partnership.