News
ICYMI: VIDEO – Sonoma County Juvenile Hall Opens Music Studio for Rehab
From KTVU
In an effort to improve rehabilitation and reduce recidivism, Sonoma County is trying something new. The County’s juvenile hall just opened a new music studio and program to help young offenders find their voice and develop their creative skills. KTVU’s Heather Holmes speaks with Giovanni Barbieri, Sonoma County Juvenile Hall Supervisor and Program Operator and Music Producer Herb Polk about how the program works and what it aims to provide for young offenders.
Marin County’s Phoenix Project Marks 15 years
From Marin Independent Journal. By Krissy Waite
Ventura County Probation’s Juvenile Facilities Complex Celebrates 20th Anniversary
From The Ventura County Star.
Local dignitaries joined workers and retirees of Ventura County’s Juvenile Facilities Complex on April 16, 2024 to celebrate its 20th anniversary.
Chief Probation Officer Gina Johnson kicked off the celebration that included a reception of light refreshments, displays of memorabilia and site tours.
#CAProbation Spotlight: Fresno County Probation Hosts Honor Walk and Resource Fair for National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
On April 23, 2024, in recognition of National Crime Victims’ Rights week, Fresno County Probation’s James Rowland Crime Victim Assistance Center hosted an Honor Walk and Resource Fair. Guests representing survivors, family members, law enforcement, various County departments, and community based agencies came together as one, showing support and hope for crime survivors.
Inyo County Drug Court Graduate Celebrates 15 Years of Sobriety
By Julie Weier, Inyo County Probation Deputy Chief Probation Officer. Additional messaging by CPOC.
Recovery is an act of self-love, a reclaiming of your life and a new beginning full of possibilities. Anthony Brown created a new life 15 years ago when he entered the Inyo County Probation Drug Court program in 2009 and dedicated himself to a life of sobriety, forgiveness and living with a purpose. Mr. Brown successfully completed the program in June of 2011.
ICYMI: The Case for Re-Incentivizing Drug Court Participation in California
From
Capitol Weekly:
By: Chief Kelly Vernon
#CAProbation Spotlight: San Joaquin County Probation Partners with Loads of Hope to Help Unhoused
San Joaquin County Probation has recently partnered with Loads of Hope in downtown Stockton to connect the unhoused population with clean laundry, internet access, and health services.
Check out this short video highlighting San Joaquin Probation’s positive partnership with Loads of Hope.
The Connector Newsletter – April 30, 2024
California Probation Creating Safer Communities Through Accountability & Opportunity
In this issue of The Connector, read stories of hope and inspiration of how California Probation is helping create safer communities by focusing on holding justice-involved individuals accountable while helping them transition out of the system permanently through transformative and evidence-based rehabilitation. Probation Departments are a connector in the justice system, interlacing and maximizing the resources available within our systems and communities to reduce recidivism by carefully balancing direct human services and research-based interventions.
ICYMI: “Reading Has Given Me Hope”: Bringing the Library to Incarcerated Youth
From Santa Clara County, by Omar Perez
SANTA CLARA, CA | March 20, 2024 - Coordinated efforts by multiple County of Santa Clara agencies are bringing library services directly to incarcerated youth who currently reside in the County’s Juvenile Justice Centers.
For years, teens in youth detention facilities in Santa Clara County had no access to libraries or reading programs.
…
#CAProbation Spotlight: Contra Costa Probation Unveils New Multi-Sensory Room for Youth
On March 20th, 2024, the Contra Costa County Probation Department unveiled a brand new multi-sensory de-escalation room for youth at the John A. Davis Juvenile Hall in Contra Costa County.
Chief Probation Officer Esa Ehmen-Krause, along with Manager Tamara Gusman-Taylor and Director Malkia Crowder welcomed the crowd of probation partners and staff to celebrate the grand opening, provided a tour of the room, and encouraged people in attendance to enter suggestions for the room name.
ICYMI: How to Prepare for Organizational Change – Chief Marlon Yarber Shares Probation Tip: Taking on a New Role
From NAPE Monthly Email. By Marlon Yarber, Sacramento County Chief Probation Officer
SACRAMENTO, CA | March 07, 2024
– Be Ready for Change – whether planned or unexpected
Organizational change can happen at any time. When executives
have a transition plan in place, they should be ready for change
most every time.
…
ICYMI: Now Recording At Juvenile Hall: Incentive-Based Music Studio
From Patch. By Maggie Fusek.
SONOMA COUNTY, CA | March 05, 2024 – A new music recording studio that recently opened in Sonoma County’s Juvenile Hall in Santa Rosa has proven to be a motivation for youth incarcerated at the facility.
ICYMI: Sonoma County Juvenile Hall opens new music studio
From Sonoma County
SANTA ROSA, CA | March 04, 2024
County Spotlight: Butte County Probation Drug and Veterans Treatment Courts Success
The Butte County Probation Department has four collaborative Courts. Collaborative Courts are comprised of multi-disciplinary teams, who work to be responsive to the needs of the participants. They allow participants an opportunity to participate in evidence based treatment models as an alternative to traditional court processing. This week, we are highlighting two of those courts, Drug Court and Veterans Treatment Court.
Drug Court:
Butte County Treatment Court (BCTC) is a post-conviction program for non-violent offenders who assess as high prognostic risk and high criminogenic needs for substance abuse and/or addiction diagnosis. The program is operated in compliance with the Ten Key Components and Best Practice Standards of Drug Courts, as established by the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP).
Some of the graduates include:
- Kayla Saise, has worked diligently over the last 3 years to create a new, successful, life for herself. She obtained employment, obtained her own residence, obtained her driver’s license, purchased her first vehicle, and regained custody of her child. Through it all, she has remained strong in her sobriety!
Veterans Treatment Court:
The Butte County Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) is a voluntary, Court-supervised program designed to offer justice-involved veterans an opportunity to participate in a treatment-based model as an alternative to traditional Court processing. The VTC is comprised of justice partners, veterans services groups, and community-based organizations who work together to create a collaborative, multi-disciplinary approach to treatment that is responsive to the needs of the Veteran and the community.
Veterans continue fighting even after their military service has ended as they struggle with substance abuse, mental health, and reintegrating into civilian life. With the help of the Veterans Treatment Court team, these veterans complete an intensive treatment program and period of probation supervision lasting a minimum of 12 months. Graduates fight hard to address their needs, complete the program, and have achieved a tremendous accomplishment.
Veterans Treatment Court was established in 2015, follows the National Drug Court model, and is tailored to the unique needs of veterans. The Butte County Veterans Treatment Court has graduated over 20 veterans from the program.
Some of the graduates include:
- Christopher Claxton, a United States Marine Corps member from 2006-2010, Iraq War Veteran, completed innovative restorative programs and reached educational achievements.
- Jeremy Bailey, a United States Army member from 2008-2014, Iraq and Afghanistan War Veteran, completed educational achievements at Butte College and plans to use his creativity with a career in graphic design.
- Zak Schulps, a United States Marine Corps member from 1988-1991, Gulf War Veteran, is a local business owner, completed innovative restorative programs.
- Randy Cook, served in the U.S. Marine Corps Special Forces during the Vietnam War, arriving when he was 17 and facing combat as soon as he turned 18; now 68, he still faced demons from those dark days, but since has graduated, bought a home, and got engaged.
- Brian Dudley, an honorably discharged U.S. Army veteran, was facing a possible prison sentence for felony Assault with a Deadly Weapon and misdemeanor Driving Under the Influence. October 2020 marked the graduation of Mr. Dudley from the Butte County Veterans Treatment Court.
- Richard Hubbell, an honorably discharged U.S. Army veteran, was also facing a possible prison sentence for felony Driving Under the Influence. In October 2020, Mr. Hubbell successfully graduated from the Butte County Veterans Treatment Court.
Probation Officers who are a part of a collaborative Court team have additional responsibilities than other officers. They have regular team meetings, more Court appearances, and additional assessments and other paperwork to be completed.
Butte County Probation is fortunate to have officers that are willing to put in the extra work to help all participants succeed and make changes for the betterment of themselves and the community.
The Right Path: Sacramento County Probation Department puts clients on the road to success
From Sacramento
News and Review by Gail Allyn Short
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A fresh start in life.
That is what probation affords individuals who are justice
involved.
When a judge hands down a sentence of probation, it enables a defendant to remain in the community, under strict conditions, instead of jail or prison.
…
Chief Probation Officers of California Statement in Response to Fentanyl & Retail Theft Legislation Announced by Senate Pro Tem McGuire and Senate Leadership
SACRAMENTO, Calif., February 26, 2024 – Chief Probation Officers of California President, Chief Probation Officer Kelly Vernon, issued the following statement in response to Fentanyl & Retail Theft Legislation announced by Senate Pro Tem McGuire and Senate Leadership:
Isaac Hernandez Wins Madera Rotary Speech Contest
From Madera
Tribune by Nancy W. Simpson
MADERA COUNTY, Calif. – The Madera Rotary Club
held a speech contest at its regular meeting on Tuesday, January
30. There was only one contestant, Isaiah Hernandez, from
Juvenile Hall’s Endeavor/Voyager Secondary School.
Chief Probation Officers of California Statement in Response to Retail Theft Legislation Announced by Speaker Rivas and Assemblymember Zbur
SACRAMENTO, Calif., February 15, 2024 – Chief Probation Officers of California President, Chief Probation Officer Kelly Vernon, issued the following statement in response to retail theft Legislation announced by Speaker Rivas and Assemblymember Zbur:
