News Coverage
Placer County Juvenile Detention Facility Introduces Murals to Inspire Youth
From Placer County Probation
PLACER COUNTY, Calif., – Earlier this year, the Placer County Juvenile Detention Facility unveiled two new murals designed to inspire and engage youth in custody. Led by Officer Xavier Caudillo, the project began in 2023 with the goal of reinforcing the facility’s mission of supporting positive change and successful reentry into the community. By partnering with a mural artist, the project encouraged interest in the arts while highlighting how creative expression can open pathways to meaningful careers and positive contributions to society.
Mural artist Shane Grammer, whose work can be found in cities, organizations, and public spaces across the country and internationally, partnered with the Placer County Juvenile Detention Facility, the Placer County Office of Education, and community partners to design and create the murals. The collaboration highlights a shared effort to use art as a way to encourage creativity, inspire positive thinking, and support youth in developing skills that contribute to successful futures.
Creating Education Path for Incarcerated Youth: Partnership by Community College, San Mateo County Probation Department and Office of Education
SAN MATEO COUNTY, Calif. – April 4, 2026 – A program through the San Mateo County Community College District is leading students affected by the juvenile justice system into higher education, an over-decade model for interrupting the school-to-prison pipeline throughout the state.
A presentation on Project Change was given to the community college district’s Board of Trustees March 25, highlighting the impact the juvenile justice program has had for any young person who was arrested, detained or referred to probation before the age of 25.
To Tiffany Cauyong, the juvenile justice program was pivotal in transforming her time as an incarcerated youth into a passion and majoring in administration of justice.
“Project Change was essential in me bridging that gap between incarceration at such a young age and college,” Cauyong said to trustees. “At a young age, I was not aware, and it was a lot to navigate that whole process without any type of support.”
The Connector Newsletter – May 2026
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.
Joint Statement: Governor Newsom’s May Revise Budget Once Again Betrays Voter-Approved Proposition 36
Joint Statement from the California District Attorneys Association, California State Sheriffs’ Association, and Chief Probation Officers of California
Sacramento, CA (May 14, 2026) – The California District Attorneys Association, California State Sheriffs’ Association, and Chief Probation Officers of California today issued the following statement in response to Governor Newsom’s May Revise Budget for once again refusing to fund voter-approved Proposition 36:
“Californians overwhelmingly passed Prop 36 to crack down on repeat retail theft and the state’s deadly drug crisis while delivering proven, court-supervised treatment. Yet Governor Newsom has again turned his back, denying communities across the state the resources they need to enforce the law and save lives. With their hands tied by a lack of funding, law enforcement, prosecutors, and probation officers cannot fully hold offenders accountable or steer them into the treatment they desperately need.
Proposition 36 is working where it’s funded: it reduces repeat crime, breaks the cycle of addiction, and helps people reclaim their lives and families. Counties are ready to implement real change that voters demanded with the law’s passage — but they cannot succeed without the state’s full commitment. The voters spoke loud and clear. It’s time for Governor Newsom and the state to stop defying the will of the people and fully fund Proposition 36.”
Chief Probation Officers of California Issue Statement in Response to Governor Newsom’s May Revise
Cuts to Existing Pretrial Services and Probation Funding Undermine Public Safety and Rehabilitation
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (May 14, 2026) – Governor Gavin Newsom today released his May Revision of the California State Budget. Chief Probation Officers of California President Esa Ehmen-Krause issued the following statement:
“Pretrial programs have increasingly become the dumping ground for nearly every state court-ordered community release, yet the state continues to reduce the funding needed to safely monitor those cases. That is not sustainable.
San Diego County Reentry Center Delivers Immediate Support After Prison Release
From San Diego County News Center.
SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. – April 30, 2026 – San Diego County Probation opened the Community Transition Center (CTC) 13 years ago as a centralized reentry program to support people immediately upon their release from prison. It remains the only program of its kind in California.
From Secure Track to On Track: An Imperial County Probation Success Story
EL CENTRO — This spotlight highlights the remarkable accomplishments of a justice-involved youth who entered juvenile hall following a serious offense and spent several years in the Secure Track Program. During this time, he demonstrated extraordinary resilience and initiative by enrolling full-time at Imperial Valley College, where he consistently maintained a GPA of 3.5 or higher each semester.
Tulare County Probation Officers Help Unconscious Man During Transport
From Your Central Valley and Tulare County Probation.
TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – April 9, 2026 – Two Tulare County Probation officers are being recognized for helping an individual who was experiencing a serious medical emergency.
The probation department said that deputy probation officers Vincent Rivera and Leidi Beltran were transporting two people who were under arrest.
Sacramento County Probation Received the 2025 Western States Information Network Region 1 Agency of the Year Award
From Sacramento County Probation.
Sacramento, Calif. – April 14, 2026 – The Sacramento County Probation Department received the 2025 Western States Information Network (WSIN) Region 1 Agency of the Year Award, recognizing the Department’s strong use of investigative resources, information-sharing systems, and officer safety tools.
The award reflects Sacramento County Probation’s continued commitment to public safety, coordinated enforcement efforts, and regional collaboration.
New Probation Van to Serve Remote Shasta County Communities
From Action News Now.
REDDING, Calif. — April 6, 2026 — The Shasta County Probation Department has launch[ed] a Mobile Probation Vehicle (MPV), which will bring supervision, treatment, and assessment services directly into communities across the county.
Covering more than 3,800 square miles, Shasta County includes many rural areas far from Redding. Officials say about 31% of individuals on adult probation live outside the county’s incorporated cities, and roughly 20% are experiencing homelessness—creating barriers to consistent reporting and access to services.
The customized van includes workstations, space for virtual treatment and areas for meetings. Partnered with local providers, it offers mental health assessments, substance use referrals, treatment services, and help with housing and employment. By bringing services directly to people, the program aims to improve compliance, reduce repeat offenses and increase public safety.
The MPV is designed to reduce those barriers by delivering probation services, including check-ins, behavioral health assessments, treatment referrals, and housing and employment assistance, directly in the field and in partnership with local providers. The customized van features workstations, virtual treatment capabilities, and meeting space, and will operate on a rotating monthly schedule throughout the county.
Officials say the goal is to improve compliance, reduce recidivism, and enhance public safety by increasing access to services in underserved areas. By bringing services directly to underserved and high-need areas, the program is expected to increase compliance with supervision terms, expand diversion opportunities, reduce recidivism, and improve public safety outcomes. The department aims to have the mobile unit in the community as much as possible, providing people with the opportunity to check in and receive services throughout the county.
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Read the article here.
Monterey County Probation Department Celebrates First Life Skills and Soccer Program Graduation
From KSBW.
SALINAS, Calif., — April 6, 2026 —The Monterey County Probation Department hosted a graduation for the first cohort of its life skills and soccer pilot program at Juvenile Hall.
The program, launched in January in partnership with the San Jose Earthquakes and the Twinning Project, aims to teach life skills through soccer.
Kern County Juvenile Hall to Get New Multipurpose Building
From Bakersfield Today and KGET
5 Questions with Ronald L. Miller II, Chief Probation Officer
From Ventura County News Channel.
VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. — March 27, 2026 —
1. The Board of Supervisors recently approved a 20-year lease to expand youth farm and education programs at the juvenile justice facilities. Can you share what this expansion means for the youth in Ventura County and the kinds of opportunities these programs will provide?
The recent approval by the Ventura County Board of Supervisors to expand youth farm and education programming at our juvenile facilities represents an important investment in the future of young people in our community. These programs provide youth with hands-on opportunities to learn about agriculture, environmental stewardship, and healthy living while developing valuable life and workforce skills.
Celebrates Rising Scholars Graduates at Sonoma County Juvenile Hall Ceremony
From Santa Rosa Junior College.
SONOMA COUNTY, Calif., — March 23, 2026 — Santa Rosa Junior College proudly celebrated the achievements of two Rising Scholars Network students at its third Juvenile Hall graduation ceremony, recognizing their completion of Associate Degrees in Social and Behavioral Sciences in December 2025.
Sonoma County Probation Makes a Splash for the Special Olympics
From Sonoma County Probation and CPOC Staff.
SONOMA COUNTY, Calif., — The Sonoma County Probation Department is proud to be recognized for its commitment to community and service beyond the badge.
On March 19, 2026, the department was honored with a special plaque presented by two local Special Olympics athletes alongside the Northern California State Director, recognizing their outstanding fundraising efforts in 2025. Sonoma County Probation ranked 3rd in the entire region among law enforcement agencies, a testament to the dedication and generosity of their team.
San Diego County Probation Unites Partners to Strengthen Youth Reentry Services
From San Diego County News Center.
SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. – March 2, 2026 – [San Diego] County Probation brought together more than 70 community and healthcare partners at the Youth Transition Campus on Feb. 26 to strengthen coordination for youth reentering the community under the statewide California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) Justice Involved (JI) Initiative.
Staff from Probation’s Integrated Healthcare Services unit (IHSU), Probation Institutional Services and contracted healthcare services provider Correctional Healthcare Partners met with representatives from the County’s Behavioral Health Services Next Move program, local Managed Care Plans including Molina Healthcare and Blue Shield Promise as well as Enhanced Care Management (ECM) services providers including Family Health Center of San Diego, the Neighborhood House Association, La Maestra Community and the San Diego Center for Children.
The goal is to improve coordination and build stronger working relationships so youth receive medical, behavioral health and other services immediately after leaving custody. A similar meeting was held at the East Mesa Detention Facility the previous week.
Ventura County Probation Agency and Ventura County Library Expand Access to Literacy Programs for Youth in Custody
From Ventura County Probation Agency.
VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. — March 16, 2026 — The Ventura County Probation Agency and the Ventura County Library have launched an innovative partnership to bring tailored library services directly into the County’s Juvenile Facilities through the new Next Chapter Library. This pilot initiative marks a significant step toward expanding educational access and literacy opportunities for youth under custodial supervision.
