Home: Spotlight
The Probation Connection Podcast
Listen to the Podcast from the Chief Probation Officers of California
Chief Probation Officers of California (CPOC) Foundation launched their podcast, The California Probation Connection in 2022.
This podcast is a space that dives deeper into complex topics that face probation professionals, as well as everyone involved in our justice system.
Episodes feature chief probation officers who share their experiences and perspectives about issues involving California Probation and our justice system. The host of the podcast is CPOC Executive Director, Karen Pank.
You can enjoy listening to The California Probation Connection on podcast platforms, several linked below, or watch the podcast on YouTube. Links to all platforms can be found here: https://linktr.ee/caprobation
Serving Those Who Have Served: Veterans’ Treatment Court Provides Support in Lieu of Incarceration
From Sacramento News & Review, by Anne Stokes
SACRAMENTO, CA | October 26, 2023 — While post-traumatic stress disorder affects millions of people, veterans suffer at higher rates than civilians, three times more for those who were deployed. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 11-20% of veterans who served in operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom have PTSD in a given year. Approximately 12% of Gulf War veterans and an estimated 30% of Vietnam Veterans struggle with PTSD. Symptoms include persistent flashbacks or nightmares, difficulty with emotional regulation, particularly anger management, and reckless or self-destructive behavior. Through California’s Veterans’ Treatment Court, veterans facing criminal charges may be eligible for treatment rather than punishment.
“The most common [struggle] for vets is PTSD [and] TBIs, which are traumatic brain injuries, just from service. That can turn into addictions, can turn into anger issues, and those can turn into other criminal activities if it goes far enough,” says Kevin Cadena, senior deputy probation officer with Sacramento County.
“Approximately 90% of the veterans in Veterans’ Treatment Court are combat veterans from mainly the First Gulf War, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Many have experienced gruesome events.”
The goal of Veterans’ Treatment Court is to address the underlying issues at hand in the hopes of getting those who have served their country back on their feet.
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.
I am a recovered addict, and am proud to say I have been sober for almost five years. My recovery journey has been shaped by many factors, but a few stand out as the most important: my family, especially my daughter, who never gave up on me; my faith in God; the treatment programs like the one I attended at the Salvation Army; and, surprisingly, the justice system.
In particular, I am deeply grateful for one of my probation officers who treated me with respect and compassion, seeing me as a human being.
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.
It’s natural to wonder who or what is to blame and ask why this surge in crime is happening and what went wrong within our communities and public safety systems. The reality is that the situation is both straightforward and complex.
As on-the-ground experts in community safety and rehabilitation, Probation officers have seen firsthand how the state’s efforts to dictate how to address policy issues that impact public safety are attacking the problem from the wrong point of view. While well-intentioned, the state’s top-down approach, which has not fully taken into account the expertise and input of the professionals who do this work every day at the local level – is failing.
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). The following insights shed light on this remarkable journey, from groundbreaking initiatives to a lasting impact on the community.
A Career Built on Commitment
The MADD 2024 Outstanding Probation Officer of the Year award was not a spontaneous accolade but rather a result of a deliberate and impactful career. De La Riva joined DUI Court as a Supervising Probation Officer (SPO) in 2013. His drive to improve DUI interventions was influenced by a department wide initiative towards evidence-based practices (EBPs). This commitment to employing effective, research-backed methods rather than traditional approaches laid the foundation for significant advancements in the DUI court program.
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.
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.
Chief Jennifer Branning Appointed to Board of State and Community Corrections by Governor Newsom
SACRAMENTO – Governor Newsom announced his appointment of Lassen County Chief Probation Officer Jennifer Branning to the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC).
#CAProbation Spotlight: Sacramento County Probation Recovery Court
Sacramento County Probation’s Recovery Court helps create safer communities by connecting participants to employment, recovery, and community with this life-changing program. Probation and drug courts help keep our communities safer by connecting people in the justice system with transformative rehabilitation and helping change lives.
Butte County Treatment Court marks National Drug Court Month with graduation ceremony
May 8, 2024
by Hannah Gutierrez in KRCR.
OROVILLE, Calif. — Butte County Treatment Court celebrated National Drug Court Month by hosting a graduation for individuals have gone through the program.
#CAProbation Spotlight: San Joaquin County Probation Partners with Loads of Hope to Help Unhoused
San Joaquin County Probation has recently partnered with Loads of Hope in downtown Stockton to connect the unhoused population with clean laundry, internet access, and health services.
Check out this short video highlighting San Joaquin Probation’s positive partnership with Loads of Hope.
Inyo County Drug Court Graduate Celebrates 15 Years of Sobriety
By Julie Weier, Inyo County Probation Deputy Chief Probation Officer. Additional messaging by CPOC.
Recovery is an act of self-love, a reclaiming of your life and a new beginning full of possibilities. Anthony Brown created a new life 15 years ago when he entered the Inyo County Probation Drug Court program in 2009 and dedicated himself to a life of sobriety, forgiveness and living with a purpose. Mr. Brown successfully completed the program in June of 2011.
The Probation Connection Podcast
Listen to the Podcast from the Chief Probation Officers of California
Chief Probation Officers of California (CPOC) Foundation launched their podcast, The California Probation Connection in 2022. This podcast is a space that dives deeper into complex topics that face probation professionals, as well as everyone involved in our justice system.
Episodes feature chief probation officers who share their experiences and perspectives about issues involving California Probation and our justice system. The host of the podcast is CPOC Executive Director, Karen Pank.
You can enjoy listening to The California Probation Connection on podcast platforms, several linked below, or watch the podcast on YouTube.
#CAProbation Spotlight: Fresno County Probation Hosts Honor Walk and Resource Fair for National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
On April 23, 2024, in recognition of National Crime Victims’ Rights week, Fresno County Probation’s James Rowland Crime Victim Assistance Center hosted an Honor Walk and Resource Fair. Guests representing survivors, family members, law enforcement, various County departments, and community based agencies came together as one, showing support and hope for crime survivors.
#CAProbation Spotlight: Contra Costa Probation Unveils New Multi-Sensory Room for Youth
On March 20th, 2024, the Contra Costa County Probation Department unveiled a brand new multi-sensory de-escalation room for youth at the John A. Davis Juvenile Hall in Contra Costa County.
Chief Probation Officer Esa Ehmen-Krause, along with Manager Tamara Gusman-Taylor and Director Malkia Crowder welcomed the crowd of probation partners and staff to celebrate the grand opening, provided a tour of the room, and encouraged people in attendance to enter suggestions for the room name.
Video: What is California Probation?
What is Probation?
The answer can differ greatly from state to state however probation in California has evolved to become one of the leaders in the use of evidence-based practices to help implement positive behavior change. Watch this video to find out more about how California Probation is Leading The Change in policy and in the lives of our clients.
ICYMI: “Reading Has Given Me Hope”: Bringing the Library to Incarcerated Youth
From Santa Clara County, by Omar Perez
SANTA CLARA, CA | March 20, 2024 - Coordinated efforts by multiple County of Santa Clara agencies are bringing library services directly to incarcerated youth who currently reside in the County’s Juvenile Justice Centers.
For years, teens in youth detention facilities in Santa Clara County had no access to libraries or reading programs.
…
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.
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.
