SACRAMENTO, Calif., January 10, 2024 – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced his proposed January 2024-25 State Budget focused on addressing the deficit. Chief Probation Officers of California President Kelly Vernon issued the following statement:

As Governor Newsom and state leaders grapple with the challenging task of addressing the significant deficit, we strongly urge leaders to avoid short-sighted decisions that could drastically jeopardize community safety and successful reentry. An impulsive approach that reduces probation’s ability to continue to be the connector in the justice system will have lasting consequences, compromising public safety, and jeopardizing the ability for justice-involved individuals to get the supports, services and supervision they need to leave the system permanently.

We look forward to continued conversations that keep in mind the priorities of community safety and the rehabilitation needs of thousands of people who Probation supervises.

County probation departments play the connecting role in the justice continuum, creating and enhancing viable pathways to successful rehabilitation, re-entry, and safer communities. By bridging accountability with opportunities, such as career training, professional development, education programs, and comprehensive services, probation departments facilitate safe and successful reentry for both youth and adults in the justice system.

The Chief Probation Officers of California (CPOC) is an association of all 58 counties with a shared identity as law enforcement leaders. CPOC is committed to a research-based approach to public safety that promotes positive behavior change. Their leadership guides policy and practice in prevention, community-based corrections, secure detention for youth, and direct human services. CPOC’s goal is to prevent crime and delinquency, reduce recidivism, restore victims, and promote healthy families and communities.

For more information about CPOC, please go to www.cpoc.org.

Media Contact: Laura Dixon laura@cpoc.org 510-384-3020

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