To: Board of Supervisors
From: Probation
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Adopt Resolution proclaiming the week of July 21-27, 2024, as Pretrial Probation, and Parole Supervision Week
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Adopt the attached resolution
Body
STRATEGIC PLAN:
This action supports the following areas of your Board’s Strategic Plan.
Area of Focus: Workforce & Operational Excellence
Strategic Plan Category: 3001 - Support a well-trained workforce
DISCUSSION:
Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Supervision Week is recognized nationally by the American Probation and Parole Association, which was formed in 1975 by probation practitioners who recognized that the field of probation needed the advocacy and support of a national level association.
The field of Probation dates to 1841 when John Augustus, a Boston Cobbler who is also credited as the “Father of Probation” persuaded the Boston Police Court to release an adult drunkard into his custody rather than sending him to prison, which was the prevalent means of handling law violations at the time. Efforts to reform his first charge were successful, and he soon convinced the court to release other offenders to his supervision. As a member of the Washington Total Abstinence Society, Mr. Augustus had developed a belief that abusers of alcohol could be rehabilitated through understanding and kindness rather than jail sentences. Thus began an 18-year career as a volunteer probation officer. Mr. Augustus founded investigation, supervision, and intake processes and transformed many lives through his work.
Today, probation departments play various roles throughout the criminal justice system. Probation is often referred to as the “arm of the court.” Probation is expected to serve as a neutral party providing judges with the information necessary to make sentencing decisions. If the offender is then sentenced to community supervision, the Probation Department is responsible for their supervision and ensure that they are offered the appropriate rehabilitative services to reduce recidivism. Probation departments also manage pretrial assessment and monitoring programs.
In the juvenile justice system, probation departments can divert youth deemed appropriate for diversion programs from the juvenile justice system at various decision-points. When a youth has been ordered to be detained by the juvenile court, probation departments operate juvenile halls, camps, ranches, and secure youth treatment facilities, ensuring the safety and well-being of youth, while providing a variety of services to assist youth and meet their individual needs. As with adult probation, the probation department serves as an arm of the court and is a neutral party in assisting judges by providing information to the court for decision making in the interest of the youth. Probation departments divert many youths from the justice system, which helps keep to a lower number the amount of youth in the juvenile justice system and detained in juvenile halls, camps, ranches, or secure youth treatment facilities. The probation department also provides youth with opportunities to make positive changes in their lives and provides evidence-based programming and supportive and transitional services in an effort to reduce recidivism and further involvement in the juvenile justice or criminal justice systems.
The Probation Department is composed of a committed group of employees whose genuine desire to protect and serve their community is apparent in the hard work and dedication they commit to their jobs every day. The work of Probation employees makes a critical difference in the safety of Humboldt County residents. Probation Officers provide supervision and treatment resources to help people, families, and communities address the issues and problems that drive crime. Probation Officers also intervene to prevent the recurrence of crime among juvenile delinquents and adult defendants/offenders by supervising them, holding them accountable for behavior, and making referrals to community-based service providers to address behavior driving criminality. Juvenile Correctional staff provides safe and secure housing for youth while encouraging an environment that not only promotes accountability but also provides care, support, and targeted programming. These services assist residents in learning new skills and gaining insight about what brought them into the juvenile justice system and what behavior changes are needed to be successful in the community. Finally, clerical, fiscal, and other administrative staff competently support all department efforts and allow for efficient and effective daily operations and the provision of quality services to the community.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
N/A
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
N/A
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
N/A
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Board’s discretion
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution Proclaiming July 21-27, 2024, Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A