Success Stories
Success Story: “Probation put a wall between what I should be doing and what I shouldn’t”
Erik Garduno’s life could have turned out differently.
The 30-year-old grew up in a good family. But the area where he lived was rough and he spent some of his time with the wrong crowd. As a result, a high school beer run gone wrong put him on a short probation stint, which turned out to be a good thing because it kept him away from bad influences and helped him figure out what he was – and wasn’t – supposed to be doing.
The Connector – June 2022
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 Provides a Bridge to Services for the Unhoused through a Lens of Accountability
Probation Departments throughout California are innovating to become a bridge and connector to services and supports for unhoused Californians, all through a lens of safety and accountability. Read below about how Stanislaus County Probation and Placer County Probation are working to meet the needs of their communities to enhance safety, restoration and health.
Addicted & Unhoused – How Stanislaus Probation Provides a Bridge to Overcome Addiction
Brad's Story of Redemption & Recovery Through Stanislaus County's CARE Program
Stanislaus County innovated to help address public health and safety where the crossroads of addiction, mental health, homelessness and public safety meet through their Community Assessment, Response, and Engagement Team (C.A.R.E.) team.
The Connector – March 2022
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.
California Probation: A Common Sense Approach to Safety
Balancing Accountability with Opportunity Helps Create Sustainable Safety in Communities
Check out the latest video from @Solano County Probation. Chief Chris Hansen talks about how probation offers accountability and opportunity to improve lives of justice-involved individuals and provides common sense safety to communities.
We also get to see and hear from probation clients and how Probation helped them get on a better pathway with a careful balance of direct human services and research-based deterrents and interventions. See how providing essential supports and bringing resources together helps shape stories of hope and makes us all safer.
Accountability can lead to recovery & healing: Anthony’s Story
A Powerful Story of Accountability with Opportunity & Healing
Watch Anthony’s powerful story of how accountability led to his path of recovery and healing.
Riverside County Probation proudly supports clients as they overcome challenges and regain their lives. After years of addiction, homelessness and family estrangement, Anthony was ready to change. He just didn’t know it yet.
It took a little tough love to nudge him in the right direction. Anthony’s daughter called his Probation Officer because she knew that may be the difference in saving her father’s life.
“Wall of Change” Honorees Share their Success Stories at Special Event
On December 1, 2021, twenty-three probationers were honored at the Marin County Civic Center’s Board of Supervisors chamber for positively changing their lives and inspiring others. Each probationer was celebrated on the Marin County Probation Department’s Wall of Change, where personal stories of their transformations are documented in the department’s lobby for all probationers to see. The Wall of Change ceremony was an emotional tribute to the 2020 and 2021 induction classes. The 2020 event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Why Being on Probation in Napa County is a Privilege
A Client Letter to Napa County Probation
This Probation Services Week, we honor the life transformations made possible by the opportunity, hope, help and accountability probation provides. We are proud to highlight this story, and hear in the client’s own words how probation’s trained experts successfully manage trauma and other needs of the people they serve by connecting service and need to enhance safety and restoration — creating sustainable safety in the communities we serve.
Pretrial Program Highlight: Sonoma County Probation
Fred (not using his real name for privacy) had been having many challenges. He was repeatedly in and out of jail for drug use and property crimes. During multiple incarcerations he talked about changing his life and quitting drugs to reunite with his kids, as he had lost custody of his children due to meth use.
Earlier this year, following another arrest, he was released as a part of a Pretrial pilot program under the care and supervision of the Sonoma County Probation Department.
Probation Spotlight: Welding Program Offers Opportunity for Justice-Involved Individuals
The San Bernardino County Probation day reporting centers offer justice-involved individuals many resources to help transition them back into the community in a positive way. These programs include evidence-based rehabilitation programs, education and workforce development.
This is California Probation
Equity in Gender, Diverse Officers Focused on Collaborative Safety for All
California Probation officers are diverse and highly educated professionals with over 72% of probation officers identifying as non-white, and 51% are women, the majority have four-year degrees, and over half of probation departments have employed former system-involved individuals.
California Probation is educated and trained to help protect communities by carefully balancing justice-involved individuals’ need for accountability along with their need for the help and hope required to safely leave the justice system permanently.
Women’s History Month Spotlight: Removing Barriers & Changing Lives
From the Merced County Times.
For someone like Kelly Turner, a fulfilling life is being wide awake at 5:30 a.m. for the drive to Los Banos where a troubled young man is in need of a ride to court.
It’s a 19-hour Saturday for a field trip to Folsom Prison where a group of teens experience a heartfelt and emotional intervention program and then a decompression dinner in Sacramento.
ICYMI: ‘Second chance’: Court Program Offers Treatment Over Jail Time For Veterans With Criminal Cases
By Evan Tuchinsky
Thursday and Friday mornings, like clockwork, Randy Cook heads to Five Mile Recreation Area in Bidwell Park to connect with fellow veterans. Cook served in the U.S. Marine Corps Special Forces during the Vietnam War, arriving he was 17 and facing combat as soon as he turned 18; now 68, he still faces demons from those dark days.
ICYMI: Pilot program at San Benito Juvenile Hall aims to change youth behavior
By Noe Magaña
Eight current and former youths in custody in San Benito County Juvenile Hall were celebrated on Jan. 8 in a virtual graduation ceremony for a new program called Believe to Achieve, which teaches participants about goals, responsibility and accountability. Half of the residents remain in juvenile hall, while the others completed the program upon release.
San Joaquin County Probation’s Passport Program: Steven’s Story
As a child, Steven grew up with neglectful parents and was placed in a group home. He had a very rough life in and out of the system for what felt like a lifetime. Steven suffered from an addiction to harmful substances and alcohol.
He always wanted a change in his life but never knew how to ask or get the help he needed.
After years of unsuccessful attempts to get his life on a better path, Steven and his family moved to Stockton.
ICYMI: Removing Barriers & Changing Young Lives
By Jonathan Whitaker
From the Merced County Times.
For someone like Kelly Turner, a fulfilling life is being wide awake at 5:30 a.m. for the drive to Los Banos where a troubled young man is in need of a ride to court.
It’s a 19-hour Saturday for a field trip to Folsom Prison where a group of teens experience a heartfelt and emotional intervention program and then a decompression dinner in Sacramento.
Highlight — Veterans Overcome Challenges With San Bernardino Veterans Treatment Court
Kevin, a former client of San Bernardino County Probation, is an uplifting story of transformation and success.
After serving three tours in the United States Army, Kevin realized he had to get help after run-ins with law enforcement and several suicide attempts. He found out about San Bernardino County Veterans Treatment Court and was partnered up with Probation Officer Victor Hernandez, who is also a veteran.
Probation Services Week Highlight: Orange County Probation Celebrates First Young Adult Court Graduate
On June 26, 2020, Abraham became the first graduate from Orange County Probation’s Young Adult Court, a two-year program that gives first-time felons a second chance.
Orange County Superior Court Judge Maria D. Hernandez wiped clean Abraham’s slate – untethering him from the stain of past mistakes.
The inaugural class consisted of 25 students randomly selected from hundreds of men between the ages of 18 and 23. Those who complete the course are eligible to have their convictions reduced or dismissed.
Probation Services Week Highlight – Probation Officer Helps Client Overcome Challenges
Yolanda, a former client of San Bernardino County Probation, is an uplifting story of transformation and success.
As a past substance abuser, Yolanda has done things she regrets. Since then, with the help of San Bernardino County Probation and the Drug Court Program, Yolanda has been able to turn her life around.
It was during her time in the intensive Drug Court program that Yolanda finally learned how to be happy, and lead an independent lifestyle free of substance abuse.
