WELLS COUNTY Probation DEPARTMENT
102 W Market Street
Suite 404
Bluffton, IN 46714
probation1@wellscounty.org

Gregory E. WerichChief Probation Officer
Vicki L. CaleProbation Officer
Stephanie L. EddyProbation Officer
Stephen N. PastoreAssistant Chief Probation Officer
Jessica J. NixPresentence Report Consultant
Allison C. PerryProbation Officer
Valerie N. RunyonProbation Officer
Rachel D. Yancey
Probation Officer
Jordyn A. ShumateSecretary
Greg SteeleField Officer
Travis Ford
Field Officer
VacantStudent Internship
EmeritusScott Ailor, Probation Officer
Susan Reinhard, Secretary
Jan Stronczek, Secretary
In Memory
Celissa (Lisa) Masterson, Probation Officer
Dianne Schwartzkopf, Secretary
Announcements
WEATHER RELATED CLOSURES - During the Winter season inclement weather may close the Courthouse for business on short notice. Before traveling to the Probation Department for appointments or drug tests, contact your probation officer during business hours to ensure the office is open. If no answer by staff, leave a message which includes your name and phone number.
Check-In Kiosk and QR Station
When you visit the Wells County Probation Department, please use the automated Kiosk to check in, or use
the QR Station to easily submit information to your probation officer or check in for your meeting or drug screen
on your own device.
Re-Entry Services
In a collaborative effort with the Wells County Jail, the Wells County Prosecutors Office and the Wells County Probation Department, a probation officer meets with inmates at the Wells County Jail weekly to facilitate access to substance abuse or mental health treatment within days of the inmate’s release. Inmates will complete the necessary paperwork to allow the probation officer to schedule appointments with providers on their behalf and act as a liaison to make access to treatment easy as possible. This program is designed to remove some of the barriers that many inmates who desire to change their behavior face upon release from incarceration. Eligible inmates are those who are approaching a sentence release date or who may be released from jail to probation supervision. Inmates may request to meet with the probation officer via the jail’s in-house system.
Pretrial Services
Pretrial Services assists the court by reviewing cases early, offering verified information, and providing supervision when ordered. We help individuals stay on track with court requirements while supporting public safety.
Probation Department Services
- Adult Misdemeanor and Felony Probation Supervisions
- Adult Misdemeanor and Felony Presentence Investigations
- Adult Pretrial Services
- Adult Re-Entry Services
- Juvenile Delinquency Preliminary Inquiries
- Juvenile Delinquency Informal Adjustment Services
- Juvenile Delinquency Probation Supervisions
- Juvenile Delinquency Predisposition Investigations
- Juvenile Delinquency Placement Supervisions
Free Rides To Treatment
211, with assistance and support of FSSA, has recently announced a statewide Lyft program to offer FREE rides to and from substance abuse treatment and certified recovery support programs. To request a ride, dial 2-1-1 or 1-866-211-9966 and follow the prompts to be connected to a trained Lyft Community Navigator.
Text Message Reminders
Follow this link for more information about text message reminders for those with criminal cases https://www.in.gov/judiciary/admin/3633.htm
Approved Programs
Generally, only programs in the Approved Counseling Programs will be approved by the supervising probation officer. Other programs may be approved on a case-by-case basis.
Alcoholics/Narcotics Anonymous Meeting Schedule (July 2025)
Substance abuse programs must also meet standards set by the local courts for substance abuse treatment programs (see Statements and Notices below).
Statements and Notices
Disclosure of Probation Records
The Wells County Probation Department for many years prepared summary criminal history reports for individuals and agencies upon request. Since Indiana probation departments are not depositories of public records, the practice of preparing these summaries was simply a courtesy service to the community. However, due to limited resources the Probation Department staff discontinued these record search summaries for individuals or non-judicial agencies.
Therefore, individuals and non-judicial agencies are directed to contact the Wells County Clerk about accessing criminal records located in Wells County. You may also wish to search records at the following public court access link: Odyssey Case Management System
Interstate Probation Supervision Transfers
For individuals who reside in another state, you may be required to transfer probation supervision to the state of your residence. The link below will assist you in checking if you meet criteria for a probation supervision transfer. The decision to transfer is determined by the court and supervising agency regardless if you meet criteria or not. You must have written verification of your residence, employment, and the $125 interstate transfer fee paid in cash to the Wells County Clerk for the Interstate Compact fee prior to leaving Indiana. Some offenses require you remain in Indiana until the receiving state provides reporting instructions, which may take up to 5 days: please have temporary accommodations ready for that time period.
Interstate Compact Eligibility Worksheet
Probation Reports
Internship Opportunity
The Wells County Probation Department is interested in working with college undergraduate and graduate students, especially if they are residents of Wells County. This department works with both adult and juvenile jurisdictions, and we can provide to an ambitious student experience in the skills necessary for all most areas of an Indiana probation department. Students of other disciplines (i.e., computer technology, business, foreign language, education, psychology, etc) will be considered if they can show how their skills may be used in the probation department environment. Work hours are negotiable, but interns may work up to 35 hours per week for 26 weeks.
Persons interested in internship opportunities may submit a cover letter with the application contained in the link below to the Chief Probation Officer at the Wells County Probation Department. This application may be emailed to the probation email linked at the top of the page.
Internship Information and Application (Fillable PDF Document)
Biographies
Vicki L. Cale, BS
Appointed and certified a Wells County probation officer since 1988.
Recognitions:
- ICA 1993 Adult Probation Officer of the Year
- POPAI 2023 Line Probation Officer of the Year
Stephanie L. Eddy, BA
Appointed and certified a Wells County probation officer since 2000.
Recognitions:
- ICA 2003 Juvenile Probation Officer of the Year
- POPAI 2024 Line Officer of the Year
Travis Ford
Employed as a part-time field officer by Wells County Probation since 2025.
Jessica J. Nix, BSW, MPA
Certified probation officer since 1997 and associated with Wells County probation since 2008.
Stephen N. Pastore, BSW, MPM
Appointed and certified a Wells County probation officer since 2007.
Recognitions:
- ICADV 2010 Outstanding Service Award for Law Enforcement Officers
- POPAI 2011 Knebble Scholarship
Allison C. Perry, BS
Appointed and certified a Wells County probation officer since 2017.
Valerie N. Runyon, BS, MSW
Appointed and certified a Wells County probation officer since 2020.
Recognitions:
- POPAI 2021 Rookie Probation Officer of the Year
Jordyn A. Shumate
Employed as a secretary by Wells County Probation since 2024.
Greg Steele
Employed as a part-time field officer by Wells County Probation since 2021.
Gregory E. Werich, BA, MPA
Certified probation officer since 1987 and appointed Wells County chief probation officer in 1997.
Recognitions:
- ICA 1995 Key Staffer Award of the Year
- POPAI 2006 Founders Award
- CADA 2012 Expedient Award
- SHSU - George J. Beto Criminal Justice Center and NAPE 2021 Sam Houston State University Award
- CADA 2021 Professional Award
- Indiana POAB 2025 Order of Augustus
Rachel D. Yancey, BS
Appointed a Wells County probation officer in 2025.
Helpful Links