News Coverage
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.
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.
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.
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.
County Spotlight: San Diego Probation Officer and New Narcotics K-9 Keep Youth Facilities Safe
From San Diego County News, by Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office and additional content from CPOC Communications.
SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. – May 19, 2025 – Probation Officer Claudia Romero is working with a relatively new K-9 partner named Lilly that is trained to sniff out narcotics. Lilly and Officer Romeo trained for 10 weeks for a total of 400 hours at the Sheriffs department before getting to work across the county. Together, they are working to keep youth safe by checking for illegal drugs in juvenile facilities like the Youth Transition Campus and East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility.
Probation Chiefs Warn: Cuts to Probation & No Prop 36 funding for Accountability will Harm Public Safety
Cuts to Existing Probation Funding Undermine Public Safety and Treatment Outcomes
Chief Probation Officers from throughout California are sounding the alarm about the state budget’s failure to fund critical components of Proposition 36, while simultaneously cutting existing probation supervision resources in SB 678 and Pretrial monitoring.
At this press conference along with Sheriffs, District Attorney’s and Victims Advocates, CPOC President Chief Steve Jackson stated:
ICYMI: ABC 10 – Supporters say Prop 36 risks failure without more state funding
Supporters of Prop 36 say it promised safer streets and treatment, but without more funding, the law may fail to deliver what voters overwhelmingly approved.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A sweeping public safety measure overwhelmingly approved by California voters could falter, supporters warn, unless the state commits more money to make it work.
At a Capitol rally Wednesday, sheriffs, probation officials and bipartisan lawmakers called on state leaders to boost funding for Proposition 36, the tough-on-crime initiative passed by nearly 70% of voters last November…
Probation Chiefs Respond to Legislative Budget Agreement Passed Today
Cuts to Existing Probation Funding Undermine Public Safety and Treatment Outcomes
SACRAMENTO — President Steve Jackson of the Chief Probation Officers of California (CPOC) expressed serious concern today over the state budget’s failure to fund critical components of Proposition 36, while simultaneously cutting existing probation resources that support community safety.
When the Voices that Matter are Heard: Orange County Probation’s Youth Council
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.
ICYMI: Community Members Partner with San Luis Obispo County Probation Department to Help with Transitional Homes
From KEYT. By Christina Rodriguez.
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Community members are collaborating with the San Luis Obispo County Probation Department to help youth and adult transition successfully back into society.
ICYMI: Experts Sound the Alarm on Prop. 36 Funding Gaps in Davis Vanguard Op-Ed
From Davis Vanguard
Sacramento, Calif., June 10, 2025 — In an opinion editorial published today, Davis Vanguard Editor and Founder David Greenwald highlights growing concerns about the recently announced legislative budget agreement and its failure to adequately fund implementation of Proposition 36, despite overwhelming voter support last November.
In the piece, Greenwald outlines concerns from across the spectrum – including from California Probation and state legislators – about the funding shortfall counties will face as they are expected to carry out the law’s provisions.
Statement from the Chief Probation Officers of California on the Legislative Budget Agreement
NEWS STATEMENT
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (June 9, 2025) – The Chief Probation Officers of California (CPOC) issued the following statement in response to the legislative budget agreement announced today by Senate and Assembly leadership:
A Salute to Service: Orange County Probation’s Honor Guard Pays Tribute in Washington DC
Orange County, Calif., June 9, 2025 – In a powerful demonstration of honor, unity, and remembrance, six members of the Orange County Probation Department’s (OC Probation) Honor Guard traveled to Washington D.C. to participate in National Police Week. Having joined thousands of law enforcement officers from across the country, OC Probation commemorated those officers whose lives were cut short in the line of duty.
Sacramento County Probation Launches Third Mobile Probation Service Center to Support Unhoused Clients
From Sacramento County Probation
Sacramento, Calif. – May 30, 2025 – Assembly Bill 178 was approved in 2022, and appropriated $20 million to fund a competitive grant program for all county probation departments to establish Mobile Probation Service Centers. On April 13, 2023, the Board of State and Community Corrections awarded the Sacramento County Probation Department $1,319,860 to support implementation of these services within the community.
On June 2, 2025, the Sacramento County Probation Department will deploy its third Probation Outreach Vehicle through the Juvenile Field Services Division. With workstations and necessary equipment, this cargo van will function as a Mobile Service Center, offering a safe and welcoming space for engagement while assisting unhoused clients across Sacramento County.
San Mateo County Probation Youth Services Center – Juvenile Hall 2025 Graduation
From San Mateo County
SAN MATEO COUNTY, Calif. – May 30, 2025 – On May 28th, the San Mateo County Youth Services Center – Juvenile Hall proudly celebrated its 2025 graduates! Eight inspiring young men and women, together with their families marked the occasion with pride, elation, and hope for the future. Each youth proudly wore their purple gown and customized cap and tassel. Three of the graduates were conferred college degrees through San Mateo County Probation’s partnership with Project Change’s Rising Scholars Program. Two young men graduated Cum Laude and will be transferring to San Francisco State University.
New Mural Brings Color and Healing to Monterey County Probation Department Juvenile Hall Garden
Monterey County, Calif., June 3, 2025 – A new mural within the garden of the Monterey County Juvenile Hall was unveiled Friday, May 30th at the Juvenile Hall facility, located at 1420 Natividad Road, Salinas. The mural is a creation of the young men in the facility and artist Fabian Debora of Homeboy Art Academy, a Los Angeles nonprofit that helps youth find identity and understand their roots through art. This special initiative marks Debora’s second visit to the Monterey County Juvenile Hall.
Central Coast Juvenile Detention Centers Introduce VR Marine Science Program
From KSBW.
Seaside, Calif. – April 1, 2025 – Several juvenile detention centers on the Central Coast have introduced a virtual reality program, focused on marine science.
The immersive experience will allow incarcerated kids to virtually dive through the open water, all while learning more about the underwater world.
Lindholm shared his inspiration behind the virtual reality program that originated after two students who enrolled in his class developed epilepsy, barring them from scuba diving ever again. He wanted to give those unable to join the program a new way to collect marine data.
Empowering Change: Ventura County Probation Juvenile Justice Facility’s Inside-Out Program Bridges the Divide
VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. – May 22, 2025 – At the Ventura County Juvenile Justice Facility, a unique educational partnership is providing hope and opportunity for incarcerated youth while bridging divides between the incarcerated and non-incarcerated populations. The Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program, launched in collaboration with California Lutheran University (CLU) and the Ventura County Probation Agency, is giving incarcerated students the chance to engage in a college-level criminology course alongside traditional students from CLU.
This year marks the program’s first-ever implementation at the juvenile facility, providing a transformative opportunity for 20 students to examine the criminal justice system from different perspectives and discuss solutions for improving it.
The Connector Newsletter – May 29, 2025
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.
San Diego Probation Officer and New Narcotics K-9 Keep Youth Facilities Safe
From San Diego County News, by Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office
SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. – May 19, 2025 – Probation Officer Claudia Romero is working with a relatively new K-9 partner named Lilly that is trained to sniff out narcotics. Together, they are working to keep youth safe by checking for illegal drugs in juvenile facilities like the Youth Transition Campus and East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility.
Watch the video here.