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ICYMI: A Story of Justice and Recovery
From The Press Enterprise. By Anthony Martinez.
As our communities come together to celebrate National Recovery Month, I want to take a moment to share my personal journey. My hope is that by telling my story, I can help inform ongoing discussions about addiction and criminal justice, while offering some hope to those who struggle with addiction.
Reassessing California’s Approach to Public Safety and Reentry
By Karen Pank, Executive Director, Chief Probation Officers of California.
Every day, new reports of crime shake communities across California. Recent high-profile violent crime incidents have intensified concerns about public safety and the policies guiding safety decisions in our state. But it’s not just the high-profile cases that have California residents shaken, it’s the too-close-to-home incidents we all see on the streets of the communities in which we live every day.
Orange County Deputy Probation Officer Earns Outstanding Probation Officer of the Year Award from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
Orange, Cali., September 11, 2024 – In a world where driving under the influence (DUI) remains a critical public safety concern, the dedication and innovative approaches within the justice system can make a significant difference. One such individual, Ronald De La Riva, is a recently honored member of the Orange County Probation Department, whose work with DUI court programs has earned him the 2024 Outstanding Probation Officer of the Year from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
Statement on CPOC’s Support for Proposition 36 from President Kelly Vernon
The Chief Probation Officers of California support Prop 36 as an important step toward meaningful change in the justice system and the communities we serve. As professionals dedicated to public safety, helping individuals transform their lives and supporting victims, we recognize the urgent need for action and approach this decision with a lens of balancing accountability and opportunity for change.
Victim Resources
CA Department of Justice Victims’ Services Unit – The Victims’ Services Unit offers crime victims and their families support and information at every stage of the criminal process.
CA Dept. of Corrections and Rehabilitation, OVSRS – Provides information on offender release, restitution, parole conditions and parole hearings when the offender is incarcerated in prison. 1-877-256-6877
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Statement from CPOC President Chief Kelly Vernon on the Passage of Proposition 36
Sacramento, California, November 5, 2024 – The Chief Probation Officers of California (CPOC) issued the following statement from their President, Chief Kelly Vernon, regarding the passage of Proposition 36.
County Spotlight: Lake County Probation Hosts Annual Resilient Re-entry Community Event
Probation’s collaborative work in re-entry services for those in our justice system not only helps those in the system to help turn their lives around, but it also helps make our communities safer for everyone.
The Lake County Probation Department, in collaboration with the Lake County Campus of Woodland Community College, hosted their 3rd Annual Resilient Re-entry event October 11, 2024. This event is designed to provide valuable resources and guidance to justice-involved individuals throughout the communities of Lake County.
The event is aimed to facilitate the reintegration of justice-involved individuals into society by offering a range of services including record expungement, college education opportunities, literacy resources, and even free tattoo removal services.
California Probation across the state, provides a multifaceted integrated safety model that uses accountability and provides opportunity. Probation continues to successfully connect individuals to workforce development, substance use treatment, mental health services, family engagement, and educational opportunities.
Throughout the day, a handful of keynote speakers, many of whom have successfully transitioned from incarceration to leading changed lives gave inspirational presentations on a range of topics. The speakers encouraged justice-involved individuals to speak to the vendors, utilize the free resources offered, and connect with community partners.
Speakers included: Elizabeth Quiroz, a distinguished author, co-founder of the Redemption House, and a master’s candidate in Social Justice and Human Rights at Arizona State University; Randall Cole, an accomplished author and substance abuse counselor; Richie Occhino, Lake County Behavioral Health outreach and prevention specialist; Caressa Smith, the dedicated manager of the Hope Center and a passionate advocate for second chances; Lake County Chief Probation Chief Wendy Mondfrans; Mark Taylor of Project Rebound; Megan Berger of Redemption House; Board of Supervisors Chair Bruno Sabatier; and Lake County Public Defender Ray Buenaventura.
Various groups and community partners from the Lake County community joined to host informational booths where individuals could find out about cell phone plans, library cards, literacy programs, educational courses, and 12-step programs.
The event featured the grand opening of the Lake County Probation Mobile Services Unit. The funding for the vehicle was provided through a grant from the Board of State and Community Corrections. The vehicle offers justice-involved individuals who are homeless an opportunity to connect with Probation resources where they are, including attending court by Zoom and attending classes. Those in attendance were able to tour the van.
