TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FROM: Probation and Supervisor Haschak and Supervisor Norvell
MEETING DATE: July 8, 2025
DEPARTMENT CONTACT:
Katie F. Ford
PHONE:
707-234-6910
ITEM TYPE: Consent Agenda
TIME ALLOCATED FOR ITEM: N/A
AGENDA TITLE:
title
Adoption of Proclamation Recognizing July 20 - 26, 2025 as Probation Services Week in Mendocino County
(Sponsors: Supervisor Haschak, Supervisor Norvell, and Probation)
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RECOMMENDED ACTION/MOTION:
recommendation
Adopt Proclamation recognizing July 20 - 26, 2025 as Probation Services Week in Mendocino County; and authorize Chair to sign same.
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PREVIOUS BOARD/BOARD COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
Beginning in 2015, the Board has routinely recognized the designation of "Probation Services Week".
SUMMARY OF REQUEST:
Probation Services Week is recognized by the State of California and Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week is recognized nationally by the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA).
The field of Probation dates back to 1841, when John Augustus, a Boston Cobbler (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 - the prevalent means of dealing with law violations at the time. His efforts at reforming his first charge were successful, and he soon convinced the court to release other offenders to his supervision. By 1869 the Massachusetts legislature required a state agent to be present if court actions might result in the placement of a child in a reformatory, thus providing a model for modern caseworkers. The agents were to search for other placement, protect the child's interests, investigate the case before trial, and supervise the plan for the child after disposition. Massachusetts passed the first probation statute in 1878 mandating an official State probation system with salaried probation officers (National Center for Juvenile Justice [NCJJ], 1991). Other state...
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