News Coverage
Marin probationers recognized in ‘Wall of Change’ ceremony
By Richard Halstead in Marin Independent Journal
The video that kicked off the event featured a candid conversation between Deann Marie Ashley, and her parole officer, Jose Barajas.
During the exchange, Ashley said, “I suffer from depression. I lost my children in a house fire.”
ICYMI: OC DUI court reaches key milestone with 1,000-plus graduates
From Sean Emery in the Orange County Register
A long-running, nationally-acclaimed Orange County court program to rehabilitate repeat drunk drivers reached more than 1,000 graduates on Tuesday, as county and court leaders joined new and returning graduates in marking the milestone in a packed Newport Beach courtroom.
PHOTO GALLERY: Fog Run benefits those in probation system
Put on by the Probation Auxiliary County of Kern and the Kern County Probation Department, the annual Fog Run on Saturday was to benefit educational scholarships and its Helping Hands program.
Through the program, the probation officer who is working with the juvenile or institution staff, if they’re in custody, refers them to receive what is called a SHOP bag, which stands for Support, Hope, Opportunity and Possibilities. It contains clothes and hygiene items.
The Connector Newsletter – January 2023
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.
Tullock breaks barriers as San Francisco’s chief adult probation officer
In the Bay Area Reporter by Eric Burkett
Cristel Tullock recalled a time back in 1990, when on the Arsenio Hall Show, gay icon Madonna said she liked hanging out with the Black kids because they got away with more.
“Cause all my girlfriends were Black and it seemed their parents were more lenient than my parents,” the singer told Hall. “And somehow, I had it stuck in my mind that because they were Black, they had more fun. You know, my parents were really strict.”
Juvenile Supervision Unit 1 Team’s Holiday Act of Kindness: Delivering Meals to Families in Need
The Santa Clara County Probation Department’s Juvenile Supervision Unit 1 (JSU) team, consisting of Supervising Probation Officer (SPO) Johnson and Deputy Probation Officer (DPO) Anthony Barnes, recently demonstrated their commitment to care and kindness by delivering meals to the families of 10 youth they serve. This holiday season, the team worked alongside DPO Barnes to bring food and cheer to these families in need.
Nevada County Supervising Deputy Probation Officer Jim Amaral receives Trainer of the Year Award by his peers
From YubaNet
Sacramento, Calif. – December 8, 2022 – Nevada Supervising Deputy Probation Officer Jim Amaral was recognized at the statewide 2022 Annual Chief Probation Officers of California Awards Ceremony as Trainer of the Year. This award is given to an employee of any rank selected by the CPOC affiliate for meritorious service, significant contributions, career achievement among other reasons warranting recognition.
Sonoma County Deputy Probation Officer III Larry Younger Receives Statewide Recognition from the Chief Probation Officers of California for CPOC Award of Excellence
On December 8, 2022, Sonoma Deputy Probation Officer III Larry Younger was recognized at the statewide 2022 Annual Chief Probation Officers of California Awards Ceremony in Sacramento as the CPOC Award of Excellence recipient. This award is given to an employee of any rank selected by the CPOC affiliate for meritorious service, significant contributions, career achievement among other reasons warranting recognition.
ICYMI: Pilot Welding Program Offers Opportunity for Youth in Sonoma County Juvenile Hall
The Sonoma County Probation Department’s Juvenile Hall pilot Welding Program for youth in the Secure Youth Treatment Facility (SYTF) is off to a great start!
The inaugural program was offered to two youth in Juvenile Hall who had to apply for acceptance into the program. Both youth successfully completed the program and were able to learn this high-demand trade, which is something that can translate into a successful career when they are released.
Local probation supervisor to receive award in state ceremony
20-year veteran Jonell Casada is one of five recipients in the state to be honored.
In the San Benito Link by Robert Eliason
Jonell Casada, a San Benito County Probation Department supervisor at Juvenile Hall, is one of five people statewide who will be honored for their outstanding performance and significant contributions to the field of probation on Dec. 8 and 9 at the annual 2022 Chief Probation Officers of California Awards Ceremony in Santa Cruz.
ICYMI: New gym, auto shop and classrooms reflect inventive-based approach with youth at Orange County Juvenile Hall
In the Los Angeles Times by Eric Licas
Barbed-wire-lined fencing is what used to greet those visiting youth committed at Orange County Juvenile Hall. Parents would have to line up by a nondescript door in the corner of an open-air plaza just south of UCI Medical Center in Orange and check in at three different desks in order to see their children.
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Mission at Kern County receives 120 turkeys from Kern County Probation Department
By Charr Davenport, in ABC 23 Bakersfield
The Mission at Kern County will be helping those in need for Thanksgiving on November 24th.
The Mission is hosting its annual Thanksgiving Meal, but they didn’t know where they were going to get their turkeys from until a late donation came in.
ICYMI: Close to Home: Helping people turn their lives around
In the Press Democrat by David Koch
Having just retired as chief probation officer in Sonoma County, I want to reflect on the honor and experience it has been to serve in a critical, yet often unknown and unseen part of our public safety system.
ICYMI: Santa Barbara County Probation Department Awarded Grant to Supervise People with Multiple DUI Convictions
By Santa Barbara County Probation Department in Santa Barbara Independent
The Santa Barbara County Probation Department received
funds for an intensive probation supervision program for
high-risk DUI offenders with multiple DUI convictions.
Success Stories in Solano: Probation Offers Second Chance to Justice-Involved Individuals
Last January, “C” was placed on Pretrial Supervision and could not leave his home due to court-ordered restrictions. While home, “C” pursued his high school diploma and enrolled in the Fairfield/ Suisun Adult School. Although he faced many obstacles, such as managing emotional issues and conflicts in his household, he confided in probation officers who encouraged him to stay on track and complete his goals. Six months later, he successfully graduated and earned his high school diploma.
Ventura County Juvenile Justice Center clubhouse offers welcome ‘escape from the block’
By Isaiah Murtaugh in
Ventura County Star
One Thursday afternoon last month, a dozen high school-aged boys, all in matching maroon shirts and khaki pants, filed into a small activity center on the grounds of the Ventura County Juvenile Justice Center in Oxnard
Monterey County Juvenile Hall uses art to help rehabilitate incarcerated youth
By Molly Gibs in the Monterey Herald
In partnership with the Homeboy Art Academy, the Monterey County Juvenile Hall has kickstarted a new rehabilitation program for incarcerated and formerly gang-involved youth to reconnect with themselves and the world through art.
ICYMI: Placer Probation gives Re-Entry Program graduates a second chance
By Stacey Adams In Gold County Media
The Placer County Probation Department held a ceremony for the 2020-22 graduating classes of the Placer Re-Entry Program (PREP) on Thursday evening.
PREP provides educational and vocational programs tailored to participants’ needs to prepare them to transition back into the community. According to the county website, PREP resources include education, life skills, substance-abuse programming and employment.