News Coverage

Article

Placer County Board of Supervisors Approves Proclamation for Probation Services Week 2025

PLACER COUNTY, Calif., – Placer County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a Proclamation recognizing Probation Services Week during their meeting on July 22, 2025.

To celebrate Probation Services Week, Placer County Probation held a departmental luncheon honoring their hardworking staff and their dedication to public safety and rehabilitation. Members of the Board of Supervisors and the County Executive Office joined for the event, showing their appreciation and support for the vital work the probation team does every day. 

Chief Brian Passenheim said, “Placer County Probation is grateful for the continued recognition from our local leadership and for CPOC’s statewide efforts to elevate and support the probation profession.” 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article

Inyo County Probation Celebrates Staff During Probation Services Week

INYO COUNTY, Calif., — To commemorate Probation Services week, Chief Jeffrey Thomson prepared a pancake and sausage breakfast for staff, clients, and visitors.

In addition, probation staff celebrated the beginning of Probation Services Week with a picnic, water balloon and water blaster battle, competitive cornhole matches, and frisbee golf at the Millpond Recreation area. 

Article

Big Sur Foundation to Sponsor a Half Marathon Inside Monterey County Juvenile Detention Center

From Monterey Herald

Carmel, Calif., – July 23, 2025 - It started with a thought, then a phone call, some brainstorming and the willingness to provide a foundation.

In conjunction with the Big Sur Marathon Foundation, the Monterey County Juvenile Detention Center in Salinas has turned a vision into a reality with the inaugural Hall Half run.

Friday, ten incarcerated individuals between the ages of 17-23 will run 124 laps around a paved track inside the fences of the juvenile detention center. The 8 a.m. race will be an official half-marathon – 13.1 miles.

“These are the kind of things the Big Sur Marathon Foundation wants to be a part of,” Marathon Executive Director Jennifer Edwards said. “If we can change just one life, we’re all in. Our aim is to give these guys the tools and confidence to build a healthier, safer and active life.”

Probation Aide Isaiah Garcia, a former North County High football and basketball standout, had a vision for the 8 a.m. race.

“We wanted to give these guys a feeling of accomplishment in their training, having a goal and meeting the goal,” Edwards said. “I wanted to give them as real of an experience as possible.”

After Garcia initiated a call to the Big Sur Marathon Foundation, Edwards went out and met him and the runners. She toured the facility, bringing a measuring wheel, with which the runners mapped out 13.1 miles – with nine laps equaling one mile.

“The guys were receptive, eager to learn about training and incredibly respectful,” Edwards said. “None of them had any experience in training for a half-marathon.”

Or the proper training shoes. Edwards was able to get HOKA to donate shoes to the runners to help them with their training.

“They (HOKA) were more than willing when I told them the cause,” Edwards said. “There will be T-shirts and a race bib –  that the runners helped design – and finisher medals donated by our foundation.”

…“They knew I was a runner,” Garcia said. “They said ‘we’d like it if you could bring it back.’ I heard them out. The kids felt it was beneficial for them. But I wanted the race to be more realistic, other than running 124 laps around the track. So I reached out to Jennifer.”

The 10 runners have been committed to the training for the race over the past three months and are in the best shape of their lives.

“I would say halfway through the training, they got tired of the repetitive part of it,” said Garcia, who trains with them. “Now that it’s getting closer, you can see them being more anxious. There are a lot of nerves.”

Edwards pointed out that it’s been more than just helping them get fit. She also has them tracking their nutrition, how they feel before and after training.

“There are other benefits to running other than becoming fit,” Edwards said. “A runner’s high can be amazing. These guys have goals, something to focus on, a sense of accomplishment.”

The 10 have trained together throughout the process, learning the importance of camaraderie, how to chase a common goal.

“When they are able, I will make sure they will be able to run our” Monterey Bay Half Marathon in November, Edwards said….

For the Hall Half, Edwards has recruited 10 volunteers from the Big Sur Marathon Foundation who will click each lap for their assigned runner. A timing clock will be in place.

“We’ll have updates, motivational shout-outs,” Edwards said. “We’ll have hydration stops. It’s like a regular race. We wanted this to have a race feel to it.”

Throughout the process, Garcia has had other individuals in the detention center inquire about wanting to get involved with the training in the future.

“I’ve received interest from other kids,” Garcia said. “I told them, show me you want to do this. They may not see me looking, but I see others putting in the work. I can see this evolving.”

So can Edwards. She doesn’t see this as an experiment, but the beginning of something bigger and traditional down the road.

“Can I see it expanding? Absolutely,” Edwards said. “From what I think is going to happen on Friday, I believe this will grow, interest will grow. I feel really good about this project.”

Read the article here.

Article

San Diego County Probation Youth Shine at Theater Camp

From San Diego County News Center. By Yvette Urrea Moe

SAN DIEGO, Calif., – July 23, 2025 - Three Probation youth not only got to help build theater sets backstage at the La Jolla Playhouse, they also got to build their self-esteem and their resumes.

The youth are students at the Youth Transition Campus and the week-long Tech Theatre Training camp is done in partnership with the theater, the San Diego County Office of Education and the County Probation Department.

“Programs like these support the long-term success of Probation youth by enriching their lives with creativity, structure, and opportunity,” said Mike Whatley, Probation division chief.

Whatley explained several reasons why programs like the theater camp are important for probation-involved youth. The young people get hands-on technical and creative skill development, and they get to see themselves as capable and talented individuals, sometimes for the first time. This can help them build their self-esteem and give them a sense of purpose, he said.

Additionally, it puts them in a professional environment where they are encouraged to practice healthy communication, responsibility and collaboration.

Justice-involved youth have more often than not experienced trauma or instability in their lives. Experiences like the camp expose them to new possibilities and interests, and the arts provide a therapeutic outlet, Whatley said.

Theater teachers and technical staff lead the students through rigorous standards-based coursework that includes making props, scenery and pieces of the sets, as well as, lighting design, costume design and special effects makeup.

At the end of the camp, they earn course credit and a certificate of completion from the La Jolla Playhouse. Both can be listed on the student’s resume to support a career in theater or other professional goals.

The camp and similar programs help support County Probation’s works to help justice-involved youth grow, heal, and build better futures.

Read the article here.

Article

San Francisco Juvenile Probation Marks Probation Services Week with History, Art, and Friendly Competition

SAN FRANCISCO – This week, the San Francisco Juvenile Probation Department (JPD) proudly celebrated Probation Services Week 2025 by honoring the vital, compassionate, and often unsung work of its dedicated professionals who serve youth and young adults in the juvenile justice system.

With a mix of history, art, and camaraderie, the week’s events showcased the department’s deep roots in San Francisco and its ongoing commitment to safe, rehabilitative, and community-centered services.

Article

Yolo County Launches Innovative Program to Rehabilitate Youth with Animals

From FOX 40. By Chloe Curtis.

YOLO COUNTY, Calif., June 30, 2025 – A new program in Yolo County is shaping how the youth at its juvenile detention facility are rehabilitated.

The Yolo County Probation Department and Yolo County Animal Services recently introduced the program Paws for Change. The program allows youth at the juvenile detention facility to care for foster kittens before they are ready for adoption.

Staff said that since the program’s launch in late May, there have been zero disciplinary issues among the youths participating. For many youths at the facility, it’s the first time they have ever been responsible for an animal.

Article

Marin County Probation Department DUI Check-in Connects Probationers with Support, Ensuring Compliance

From the County of Marin.

San Rafael, Calif. – June 30, 2025 – On June 26, 64 individuals on supervised probation checked in at Marin County’s first DUI Resource Check-in Site, a new initiative led by the Marin County Probation Department. Held at the Civic Center parking lot, the operation provided an alternative to home visits, enabling individuals to meet their probation requirements in a safe and neutral setting. 

The event brought together supervision and support in a single setting. Probation staff partnered with the Sheriff’s Office, the Deputy District Attorney’s Office, and community-based service providers to ensure both accountability and access to resources.

Article

ICYMI: Graduation Ceremony Held for Those Who Completed Kern County Probation Program

From KGET 

Bakersfield, Calif. – June 27, 2025 –  Multiple individuals took a step toward bettering themselves Wednesday night through a program offered by the Kern County Probation Department.

On June 25, the Kern County Probation Department celebrated graduates with a ceremony Wednesday night in east Bakersfield.

The guests of honor are those who successfully completed the department’s in-house program, which is anywhere from six months to a year. Organizers say the program gives people a second chance, by helping them change bad habits, learn valuable skills and ultimately realize personal growth.

Article

ICYMI: Probation officers seize drugs, arrest man in SE Bakersfield; faces Prop 36 charge

From KBAK 

Bakersfield, Calif. – June 26, 2025 –  Officers from the Kern County Probation Department’s unit seized a significant quantity of drugs during a home call in southeast Bakersfield on Wednesday.

On June 25, 2025, during a search of a home in the 7600 block of Mills Drive, officers discovered approximately 60.7 grams of suspected methamphetamine, eight suspected hydrocodone pills, 41 grams of suspected psilocybin, evidence of drug sales, drug paraphernalia, and a large amount of cash. The items were found in the alleged possession of Wayne Oglesby.

Oglesby was arrested on multiple charges, including possession of a controlled substance for sale, possession of a controlled narcotic, possession of a controlled substance, possession of controlled substance paraphernalia, and possession of drugs with two prior qualifying convictions under Proposition 36.