News
ICYMI: Governor Newsom appoints EDC Chief Probation Officer Brian Richart to state board
In South Tahoe Now by Paula Peterson
“I am deeply honored to receive this appointment,” said Chief Richart. “I’m looking forward to bringing my unique perspective to the BSCC. I believe my experience in probation and focus on supporting people as they change their lives thereby improving the safety of our communities will be a valuable contribution to the Board and to carceral settings and community corrections throughout California.”
The Connector Newsletter – September 2023
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: Kern County probation program graduates 75 participants
From KGET
Family and other supporters celebrated their graduates after completion of a local reentry program.
A graduation ceremony was hosted for participants who completed the The Kern County Probation Department and GEO Reentry Services “Day Reporting Center” program on Aug. 30
…
The graduation ceremony featured plenty of families of graduates celebrating their completion of the program.
The intensive supervision program for individuals on probation is designed to change criminal behavior and reduce recidivism. The program includes regular reporting to the center involved and frequent testing for substance use.
Individuals also complete courses that ready them for job preparation.
ICYMI: Probation Department Expands with Community Outreach Van
From Mariposa Gazette
Mariposa County Probation has added to their services, this time
with a new outreach van.
The Probation Outreach Van was made possible from a 2022 Mobile
Probation Services Grant Program from the California Board of
State Community Corrections.
While it was a competitive grant, meaning Mariposa County was battling with others for the funding, they were one of the 25 departments awarded the funds.
…
…Mariposa County Probation also ranked number one in the small county category.
With this funding, the probation department was able to purchase a 2023 Thor motor coach, equipped with a kitchen, bathroom including shower, mobile desk, Starlink satellite for high-speed internet, solar panels, generator and electronic awning for shade.
“We are very excited to be able to expand our outreach with the new van,” shared Mariposa County Chief Probation Officer Ryan Oliphant. “The outreach van will help us better serve our community and continue to foster connections that will only strengthen Mariposa County.”
The outreach van is setup to provide all the services a probation officer can conduct in the office including case management, counseling, access to referrals, drug testing and electronic monitoring setup.
…
“Often those on probation who are either homeless or live longer distances away from services struggle to comply with conditions of probation or don’t receive all of the necessary rehabilitative services,” said Oliphant. “By providing mobile outreach, we are bringing the services to them while holding them accountable at the same time.”
The goals of the Probation Outreach Program are to:
- Bridge the gap in services
- Foster deeper connections with the community
- Increase the chance of success on probation, and
- Enhance community safety
The Mobile Outreach Program was officially launched in July and the team has already been able to provide services at homeless encampments as well as locations in Greeley Hill and Coulterville.
…
“The possibilities are exciting for how we can utilize this van for the benefit of our community,” said Oliphant. “Our team is looking forward to everything on the horizon.”
ICYMI: County opposes juvenile justice changes in Assembly bill
From Daily Republic
The Solano County Board of Supervisors has sent a letter opposing state legislation that Chief Probation Officer Chris Hansen said would add strings to how juvenile-detention funds get to the counties.
It is the latest battleground in the three-year realignment of having counties take care of longterm, serious offenders, 18 to 25 years old, that had previously been held at state detention centers.
Hansen is OK with having what the county terms as youths – currently 12 in the program – but the funding strings would actually tie his hands.
He argues that it will impede stable county funding to support the realignment, funding needed “to carry out the rehabilitation of these youth in a way that keeps youth and staff safe.”
“The bill adds many new requirements that obstruct local responsiveness and planning; we must not set in motion new and unnecessary processes that hinder getting the work done,” Hansen noted in a document.
Furthermore, he said the state has not identified any need for the changes, which Hansen characterized as “premature and disruptive.”
“At the end of the day, it is better that we have these kids,” said Hansen, noting a letter send by the Chief Probation Officers Association that outlines abuses of these offenders when under state control.
He said in Solano County they get education and work training, and the department is working toward providing more transitional housing so they are not just sent back into the same environment where their troubles started.
…
“Counties are fully invested in a strong, vibrant and responsive juvenile justice system that does not result in more kids being referred to the adult court system and with the goals of producing improved and sustainable positive outcomes for system-involved youth,” the board letter signed by Chairman John Vasquez states.
“As counties are now responsible for the entirety of the juvenile justice system pursuant to (Department of Juvenile Justice realignment), it is imperative that county authority and responsibility remain connected to ensure the system can respond appropriately,” the letter states.
…
“AB 505 unnecessarily adds barriers to stable funding for counties responsible for implementing critical services to youth at the higher end of the system as locals look to build out the responses required upon the state closing DJJ. Additionally, there are other programmatic changes proposed in this bill that create instability and significant changes to the juvenile justice continuum,” the board letter states.
“There has not been a demonstrated need to make the changes proposed in this bill and therefore we urge the Legislature to take caution in making concurrent changes to programs whereby implementation is currently and earnestly underway as counties are working diligently to best serve the youth in our communities. It is for the reasons outlined above; the Solano Board of Supervisors must respectfully oppose AB 505.”
County News Center: Probation helps students get ready for school
In County News Center by Yvette Urrea Moe
San Diego County Probation officers partnered with STAR/PAL, a nonprofit youth organization at its Back-to-School event passing out 450 backpacks and supplies to help students start the school year off right.
California Probation Connection Podcast Ep. 11 is out now
Chief Probation Officers of California (CPOC) has released the eleventh episode of their podcast, The California Probation Connection.
In this episode, we showcase a panel discussion following the premiere of “Jetro’s Journey,” a documentary highlighting the life of Jetro, a young man under the care of Sacramento County Probation’s supervised foster care program. The panel explores the transformative impact of probation officers and resource parents on the lives of individuals like Jetro.
Yuba County chief probation officer announces retirement
From The Appeal Democrat by Michaela Harris
After 30 years of service to the Yuba County Probation Department, Chief Probation Officer James “Jim” Arnold recently announced his plans to retire by the end of August.
ICYMI: Ribbon cutting held for regional juvenile hall
From The Appeal Demorat
The Tri-County Youth Development Center, a new juvenile hall facility focused on providing treatment-based rehabilitation, will begin serving Yuba, Sutter and Colusa counties this fall.
Community leaders, members of law enforcement and county probation services gathered at the facility in Marysville for a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday morning.
County Celebrates its Career Explorers
San Rafael, CA – The Marin County Probation Department is celebrating with a variety of County of Marin departments about a record-breaking summer paid internship graduation that exposed young people between the ages of 15 and 22 to careers in public service.
ICYMI: CPOC Executive Director and Past President Published in APPA Magazine
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Chief Probation Officers of California (CPOC) Past President Chief John Keene and CPOC executive director Karen Pank were published in the July issue of the APPA Perspectives Magazine.
Their article discussed how SB 678 has helped transform California’s Probation system. SB 678 created an incentive-based permanent state funding source to stem the flow of probationers to the state prison system. The reform has been heralded as a resounding success, helping save the state billions, reducing caseload sizes allowing probation to provide more individualized approaches to supervision and rehabilitation, and facilitated a culture shift to focus on behavior change and exiting probation supervision successfully – all while continuing to keep communities safe.
The impacts of SB 678 helped lead to the outcomes we see today: reduction in the number of incarcerated individuals and correctional costs, better collaboration between probation departments, counties, and state agencies, and more rehabilitative programming available to address individual criminogenic needs.
You can read the article here or see it in APPA’s Perspectives Magazine.
Justice Marsha Slough Discusses Probation’s Work in Pretrial Services During Judicial Council Meeting
During a Judicial Council meeting on July 21, 2023, the Honorable Justice Marsha G. Slough discussed the benefits of pretrial services and the work probation is doing with individuals out of custody on pretrial to enhance safety and services in our communities.
During their business meeting, the Judicial Council received the final report on California’s pretrial pilot program showing its overall positive effect on courts, defendants, and the public.
Probation Services Week to highlight probation officers and staff in Imperial County
In Imperial Valley Press by Staff Report
IMPERIAL – Chief Probation Officer Dan Prince is pleased to announce the upcoming Probation Services Week, which will be held from July 17 to July 23, 2023.
Johnson Appointed Chief Probation Officer
In TriCounty Sentry by Staff Reports
The Board of Supervisors appointed Gina Johnson to the position of Chief Probation Officer, effective July 11, 2023. Chief Johnson has served the Probation Agency since 1991. For the past 10 years, she has served as the Chief Deputy Probation Officer and, most recently, the Interim Chief Probation Officer.
Yolo County Board of Supervisors highlight probation department
In Daily Democrat by Robyn Dobson
The Yolo County Board of Supervisors highlighted the probation department by declaring July 16-22, 2023 as Probation Services Week.
During Tuesday’s meeting, Supervisor Oscar Villegas presented the resolution to Yolo County Chief Probation Officer Dan Fruchtenicht after speaking to the important role the department plays in the community.
Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week celebrated in South Lake Tahoe
In South Tahoe Now by Paula Peterson
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision (PPPS) Week is July 17-21, and to get the week started off, El Dorado County’s Chief Probation Officer Brian Richart cooked a big breakfast for staff on Monday.
SLO hosts 17th annual Probation Services Week
In KEYT.com by Avery Elowitt
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – Chief Probation Officer Robert Reyes announced the 2023 Probation Service Week starts on July 16 and ends on July 22.
On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors will meet in the Supervisors’ Chambers and read a resolution honoring officers and staff within the San Luis Obispo County Probation Department.
A Message from CPOC President Jennifer Branning for Probation Services Week 2023
This week, we come together to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our industry and express our heartfelt appreciation to the dedicated professionals who make probation work across the state of California.
On behalf of the Chief Probation Officers of California, I want to extend my deepest thanks to each and every one of you. It is because of your tireless efforts, unwavering commitment, and exceptional skills that we have not only met the challenges thrown our way but have surpassed them with resounding success.
Assembly Member Stephanie Nguyen Floor Speech for Probation Services Week 2023
Assembly Member Stephanie Nguyen (D-Elk Grove) gives a heartfelt tribute to probation professionals in California during the California State Assembly Floor recognition of her HR 45. HR 45 is an important resolution commemorating Probation Services Week in California.
