Orange County, Calif., June 11, 2025 – In a visit that emphasized the immense legislative interest in juvenile justice, California State Senator Laura Richardson (D-35), who represents many areas of Los Angeles (Carson, Compton, and many more in the general region), spent a day engaging with youth, staff, and community partners at the Orange County Probation Department (OC Probation). The visit highlighted the department’s innovative approach to juvenile justice and provided a platform for voices often unheard in public policy conversations.

The day began with a presentation by the Juvenile Hall Youth Council, a select group of youth representatives from each unit in Juvenile Hall. These youth, selected based on behavioral progress, act as liaisons between their peers and facility staff. They shared how they have advocated for facility improvements, including organizing events such as game nights and a car show. Most recently, the youth contributed their input on the design of a major construction project underway at the facility. The youth explained how the Youth Council offered more than just representation and expressed how it serves as a crucial space for building leadership skills among system-involved youth.

Their testimony revealed the deeper impacts of participation on the Youth Council. One youth council member described how the group successfully petitioned to change the uniform color in the girls’ unit from yellow to purple, a shift she said carried emotional weight.

“When we look our best, we feel our best, which in turn means we behave our best,” she explained. “Being part of the Youth Council has changed how I see myself. It’s helped me build confidence and believe that I can be more than my past.”

Senator Richardson’s role as the Chair of Senate Budget Subcommittee #5 and as a member of Appropriations positions her at the center of California’s fiscal strategy. Her seat on the committee gives her the authority to scrutinize how taxpayer dollars are allocated and whether proposed investments align with broader legislative goals.

Her influence, even beyond budget and appropriations, becomes even more significant as new legislation comes under review. Additionally, as re-formulation of the state budget occurs, Richardson’s oversight is poised to shape not only the future of the probation field, but also the state’s broader approach to funding community-based programs and rehabilitation initiatives.

With these legislative changes on the horizon, OC Probation is already leveraging significant support and resources from community-based organizations (CBOs). Through the Juvenile Justice Coordination Council (JJCC), the department has been working to weave CBOs into the fabric of juvenile services, a move seen as both progressive and pragmatic amid uncertain effects on OC Probation.

The Orange County Probation Department (OC Probation) was awarded a grant by the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) funded through the Proposition 47 Grant Program, focused on supporting mental health treatment, substance abuse treatment, and diversion programs for those in the criminal justice system. OC Probation is utilizing this opportunity to fund community-based organizations (CBOs) and other supportive services to be available to local law enforcement agencies within the county to address youth delinquency behaviors without the need of Probation intervention.

In a collaborative effort to engage the youth, Senator Richardson also extended an invitation for youth to visit Sacramento and tour the California State Capitol alongside her office. The furlough initiative, currently being coordinated with OC Probation, underscores the department’s ongoing commitment to supporting system involved youth through positive, educational experiences. By facilitating this opportunity, OC Probation aims to expose young participants to the inner workings of state government and encourage civic engagement.

Later in the day, the Senator joined a presentation from Project Kinship, a CBO that partners with OC Probation to support youth at every stage of system involvement. Through a powerful short film and discussion, the group emphasized themes of redemption and second chances, core values in their mission to dismantle cycles of incarceration through mentorship, education, and mental health services.

Senator Richardson also toured the Multipurpose Rehabilitation Center (MRC), where she visited vocational programs including a fully outfitted auto shop and a College Occupational Program classroom. These facilities are designed to equip youth with real-world skills and pathways to self-sufficiency, beyond the youth’s time at Juvenile Hall.

In a lighter, unscripted moment that reinforced the day’s message of connection and trust, Senator Richardson challenged Chief Hernandez to a game of basketball. The moment, though informal, symbolized the spirit of collaboration that OC Probation seeks to foster across all levels of engagement, including state leadership.

Orange County Probation continues its dedication to public safety as its common denominator. Humane treatment and innovative programs remain a priority for the Department. As the State of California considers new legislation, the work happening inside facilities like Juvenile Hall may prove central to shaping the future of youth justice in California.