News Coverage
County Spotlight: Lake County Probation’s 3rd Annual Resilient Re-Entry Event
Building Brighter Futures and Safer Communities
At Lake County Probation, they believe in second chances and the power of resilience while providing both supervision and services to those in their custody. This commitment was on full display at the 3rd Annual Resilient Re-Entry Event, hosted in partnership with the Lake County Campus of Woodland Community College on October 11, 2024.
Chief Probation Officers of California Respond to Criminal Indictments of 30 Los Angeles County Probation Officers
Sacramento, California, March 11, 2025 – The Chief Probation Officers of California (CPOC) has sent a letter regarding the Criminal indictments of 30 probation officers within the Los Angeles County Probation Department to The Honorable Mike McGuire, President Pro Tempore of the California State Senate, and The Honorable Robert Rivas, Speaker of the California State Assembly.
Re: Criminal indictments of 30 probation officers within the Los Angeles County Probation Department
Marin County Probation Participates in Multi-agency Warrant Operation
Compliance checks take place throughout Marin; five violations found.
From Marin County.
MARIN COUNTY, Calif. – February 27, 2025 – The Marin County Probation Department’s AB 109 Unit led a coordinated operation to enhance community safety, targeting individuals on active supervised probation, Mandatory Supervision, or Post-Release Community Supervision. The multi-agency effort aimed to enhance community safety by addressing outstanding warrants and ensuring compliance with the terms and conditions of supervision.
The operation, which took place February 25, focused on 22 individuals and resulted in 14 searches and five violations, including possession of alcohol, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. Two arrests were made – one for an outstanding warrant and another for a probation violation.
Marin County Probation Inspiring Probationers Receive Public Ovation
A resilient and successful group of 17 is now recognized on Probation’s Wall of Change.
From Marin County Probation.
Marin County, CA – February 24, 2025 – The Marin County Probation Department proudly recognized 17 individuals who successfully transformed their lives after being on supervised probation. The honorees were celebrated at the annual Wall of Change ceremony, an event that began in 2011 as a small, intimate gathering and has since grown into a significant ceremony.
…During the event, two honorees, Seena Aguilar and Mohammed Majdoubi, shared powerful testimonies about their personal journeys.
Sena Aguilar, standing at the podium, invited her fellow honorees to stand beside her in solidarity, emphasizing that the moment belonged to all of them. She shared her story of growing up in an environment affected by alcoholism and addiction, experiencing trauma that led to instability.
“I came to the realization that I was powerless against alcohol and that my life was unmanageable,” she said.
“It was time to change, and that change began with the justice system. I saw it as an opportunity, not a punishment. With the right resources, and the support of my probation officer, recovery coach, and therapist, I was able to rebuild my life. Today, I am two years sober.”
Appointment of Jose Ramirez as the Monterey County Chief Probation Officer
From Monterey County Superior Court.
MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif., — February 14,
2025 — The Monterey County Superior Court and
the County of Monterey are pleased to announce the appointment of
Jose Ramirez as the Monterey County Chief Probation Officer.
Click on link to Press Release for more
information–> PDF
Probation Officers Find Hiding Suspect, Stolen Handgun, Firearms, and Ammo in Apple Valley
From Victor Valley News Group.
APPLE VALLEY, Calif. – February 22, 2025 – On Friday, February 21, 2025, San Bernardino County probation officers carried out a significant compliance check in Apple Valley, resulting in the discovery of a probationer hiding in a bedroom.
During a thorough search of the residence, officers uncovered twelve firearms, including a stolen handgun, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. As a result, two individuals were arrested.
The compliance checks extended beyond Apple Valley, with several residents reporting similar operations in Victorville.
At least one of these checks involved a SWAT team and a K9 unit, with a man being detained while officials conducted a detailed search of a home.
Sonoma County Probation Department Receives State Grant To Crack Down On Repeat DUI Offenders
From KZST.
SONOMA COUNTY, Calif. – February 21, 2025 – Sonoma County is cracking down on repeat DUI offenders.
The Probation Department has received a $240,000 grant from the state to fund intensive supervision for those convicted of felony DUIs. The money from the Office of Traffic Safety will help probation officers closely monitor offenders, ensuring they follow court orders and stay off the road. The grant will also support warrant operations targeting those who violate probation or skip court, distribute “Be On the Lookout” alerts for DUI suspects, and improve collaboration with courts and prosecutors.
The program runs through September 2025. This effort is funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Read the full article here.
ICYMI: San Diego County Holds First North County Community Resource Fair
From San Diego County News Center.
SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. – February 21, 2025 – Hundreds of people moved from booth-to-booth in the parking lot of the North County Superior Court in Vista Thursday, seeking some welcoming help as they work to successfully reenter and rejoin their neighborhoods and communities.
They had come to the first North County Community Resource Fair, organized by the San Diego County Probation Department and the state Division of Adult Parole Operations.
…
John, a probationer, came to the event and said he hoped to find a job. He said events like the resource fair were not only important for the tangible help they provide, but also for the hope they give to the people who come to them.
“Seeing these (community) fairs are important,” he said. “You know, because sometimes you feel alone. You see the community that’s really cheering for you, it’s beneficial for all of us—to heal.”
Placer County Launches State’s First Fentanyl Probation Educational Program
From Gold Country Media.
PLACER COUNTY, Calif. – February 21, 2025 – Placer County is once again at the forefront of the ongoing fight against the fentanyl crisis.
Placer County officials announced on Friday February 21, the launch of the state’s first-ever fentanyl probation educational program and impact panel. The concept is similar to a program used by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), which educates convicted drunk drivers about the dangers and repercussions of driving while drunk.
New Sonoma County Youth Magazine Features Juvenile Hall Poetry: ‘Good for the world … good for the soul’
From The Press Democrat.
SONOMA COUNTY, Calif. – February 19, 2025 – When poetry teacher Pamela Michael walks into her classroom at the Juvenile Justice Center on Rancho Los Guilicos Road in Santa Rosa, things look different from the other classrooms where she’s taught for decades.
In this room, as Michael describes it, all students are dressed the same in county-issued olive green garb. No phones are allowed here. Students don’t have access to computers. They cannot bring in their own pens or pencils. Instead, they “check out” shortened pencils that they must return by inserting into a block of wood at the end of class. Throughout the class, a guard stands to the side of the room.
Juvenile Hall can feel a world away from other places where Michael has led young students to explore poetry, but in some aspects, there is a universal feeling to this room, she said.
Just about every student wants to be seen, wants to be heard and wants their experiences validated.
Rachelle Gayton Appointed Chief Probation Officer for Yolo County
From The Davis Enterprise.
YOLO COUNTY, Calif., — February 14, 2025 — Yolo County Interim Administrator Dirk Brazil has announced the appointment of Rachelle Gayton as Chief Probation Officer. Gayton has been serving as Probation Division Manager and most recently as Interim Chief Probation Officer following the resignation of Dan Fruchtenicht in January.
ICYMI: Umberg Introduces Measure to Provide Funding for Prop 36 Implementation
From Fullerton Observer.
The Office of Senator Tom Umberg, 34th District, Press Release – February 14, 2025 – Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D-Santa Ana) announced the introduction of his Senate Bill 38 which proposes to make drug and collaborative courts eligible for competitive grants administered by the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC).
Voters approved of Proposition 47 on the November 2014 ballot which generated savings with its implementation. Sixty-five percent of these savings are set aside annually for the BSCC to administer a competitive grant program for services related to mental health, substance use treatment, and diversion.
This past November, voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 36 which, among other things, established a “Treatment Mandated Felony” option for people with two or more prior serious drug convictions. This would allow people with serious addictions to choose drug treatment rather than incarceration as a pathway to recovery and rehabilitation.
“The voters have spoken loud and clear,” said Senator Umberg, “It’s our job now to make sure that Proposition 36 is given the support it needs to succeed.”
Senator Umberg’s Senate Bill 38, sponsored by the Chief Probation Officers of California (CPOC), would make court, collaborative court programs, and Treatment Mandated Felony programs expressly eligible for the BSCC competitive grant program.
Additionally, Senate Bill 38 allows for public entities to apply for this funding, which will help county courts, prosecutors, public defenders, probation departments, and behavioral health programs coordinate as they work to implement Prop 36.
“We know firsthand that highly incentivized drug treatment when paired with supervision and accountability, delivers effective results,” stated San Joaquin County Probation Chief Steven Jackson, who is also president of CPOC.
“We fully support this legislation and applaud Senator Umberg’s leadership. It effectively uses existing resources into proven drug treatment programs that enhance both individual rehabilitation and community safety.”
…
The measure is expected to be heard in policy committees sometime in March or April.
Read the full article here.
San Francisco Opening Triage Center with Police, Other Staff to Handle 6th Street Arrests
From CBS News.
San Francisco, Calif. – February 5, 2025 – San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie on Wednesday said the city will be opening a triage center staffed by various city departments to more efficiently handle people detained for drug use.
The triage center will be near 6th Street, and there will be police, fire crews, staff from the public department of health and other organizations at the site.
“This is going to be a triage center where we are going to streamline all of our departments in one place,” Lurie said. “We have to try new things, and we have to do it quickly.”
Lurie said police will take people to the site, and they will be seen by the Department of Public Health and by behavioral health specialists.
…
The program provides bus or train tickets out of the city for people dealing with substance abuse or who are experiencing homelessness.
“The program strives to reconnect individuals with family, friends, or other support networks in their hometown. Journey Home provides eligible participants with free bus or train tickets (within the lower 48 states), a meal stipend, and an overnight stay if the train/bus does not leave the same day,” a department notice for the program says.
Lurie said they hope to have the site open in the coming days.
Read the full article here.
ICYMI: California County’s Juvenile Hall Leads the Way with Innovative Tablet Program
From Newsbreak and Marin County.
MARIN COUNTY, Calif. – February 3, 2025 – Marin County Juvenile Hall is transforming education for incarcerated youth through its groundbreaking Orijin Tablet Program, according to Marin County’s Probation Dept.
This initiative provides youth with electronic tablets loaded with academic resources, ensuring continuous learning beyond traditional classroom hours, the department stated.
County Deputy Probation Officer Helps Launch Nonprofit to Assist Foster Youth
NEVADA COUNTY, Calif. – January 21, 2025 – One of the biggest challenges former foster youth face as they transition into independence is getting reliable transportation. They can’t get to school or a job if they don’t have a ride.
Nevada County Deputy Probation Officer Karyn Mueller hopes to alleviate that with her new nonprofit, Beyond the Barriers California, formed in partnership with Helena Heinzelman, foster youth specialist for the Nevada County Superintendent of Schools.
County Deputy Probation Officer Helps Launch Nonprofit to Assist Foster Youth
NEVADA COUNTY, Calif. – January 21, 2025 – One of the biggest challenges former foster youth face as they transition into independence is getting reliable transportation. They can’t get to school or a job if they don’t have a ride.
Nevada County Deputy Probation Officer Karyn Mueller hopes to alleviate that with her new nonprofit, Beyond the Barriers California, formed in partnership with Helena Heinzelman, foster youth specialist for the Nevada County Superintendent of Schools.
Chief Probation Officers of California Response to Governor’s January Budget Proposal
State Budget Proposal Which Recognizes Probation's Integral Role in Public Safety and Rehabilitation
Sacramento, California, January 10, 2025 – The
Chief Probation Officers of California (CPOC) is encouraged by
Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposed January budget which recognizes
“the significant role probation plays in maintaining public
safety and reducing prison admissions.” We remain cautiously
optimistic as details related to several mission-critical areas
are unknown and some areas such as support for Proposition 36
implementation have not been adequately addressed.
Investing in the Future: Orange County Supports Innovative Programs for System-Involved Youth
From the Daily Pilot.
ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. – January 9, 2025 – The Orange County Probation Department (OC Probation) is honored to announce the historic allocation of over $2 million dollars to new Community Based Organizations (CBO) Programs through the Orange County Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council (OCJJCC).
Deputy Chief of the San Mateo County Probation Department Receives Statewide Recognition
San Mateo, Calif. – December 3, 2024 – San Mateo County Probation Department Deputy Chief Moniay Wade was recognized at the 2024 Annual Chief Probation Officers of California (CPOC) Awards Ceremony as the Bay Region Employee of the Year, an honor celebrating outstanding service, leadership, and dedication to the field of probation.
O.C. Juvenile Hall Youth Help Rescue Dogs Overcome Trauma, Train Them for Forever Homes
From the Daily Pilot.
ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. – December 18, 2024 – Surviving a 20-year sentence for his role in a 1997 gang-related homicide in Westminster forced Nhut Thanh Vo to disassociate from his emotions. By the time he was three-fourths of the way through his prison stint, he was starving for an opportunity to form a relationship with another soul.
A program that taught inmates dog handling by pairing them with pets rescued from shelters allowed him to bond with another living being for the first time in over 16 years.
…