To: Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Brown and Probation
Meeting Date: July 12, 2016
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Department Contact: |
Pamela Markham |
Phone: |
234-6911 |
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Department Contact: |
Cathy White |
Phone: |
234-6913 |
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Item Type: Consent Agenda |
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Time Allocated for Item: N/A |
Agenda Title:
title
Adoption of Proclamation Recognizing July 17 - 23, 2016, as Probation Services Week in Mendocino County
End
Recommended Action/Motion:
recommendation
Adopt Proclamation recognizing July 17 - 23, 2016, as Probation Services Week in Mendocino County; and authorize Chair to sign same.
End
Previous Board/Board Committee Actions:
The Board recognized Probation Services Week for the week of July 12 - 18, 2015, and signed a Proclamation on July 7, 2015.
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 that 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 states quickly followed suit (NCJJ, 1991). Today, probation is authorized in all states and is an integral part of the criminal justice system. Many foreign nations also have adopted approaches based on the United States prototype.
The Mendocino County Probation Department is charged with the responsibility of community protection and offender rehabilitation. This is accomplished through mandated services to the court (specifically, investigative reports and recommendations), and departmental efforts to guide youth and offenders under the Department’s supervision. This is done by focusing services on higher risk youth/offenders, and specializing services for specific populations, such as gang members, sex offenders and mentally ill offenders, through intensive supervision and referral to appropriate therapeutic services.
The Probation Department consists of two major divisions: Probation Services and Juvenile Hall. Probation Services include investigations, diversion, intervention efforts, and supervision of adult defendants/offenders and delinquent youth. Juvenile Hall provides temporary, safe, and secure detention for youths who are beyond the normal controls of the community.
The Probation Department is comprised 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. Probation employees are doing work that makes a critical difference in the safety of Mendocino County residents. Probation Officers provide supervision and treatment resources to help people, families and communities address the issues and problems that drive crime. 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 provide 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. Lastly, clerical and administrative staff competently support all the efforts of the Department, and allow for efficient and effective daily operations and the provision of quality services to the community.
Alternative Action/Motion:
Return to staff for alternative handling.
Supplemental Information Available Online at: N/A
Fiscal Impact:
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Source of Funding: N/A |
Budgeted in Current F/Y: N/A |
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Current F/Y Cost: N/A |
Annual Recurring Cost: N/A |
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Supervisorial District: All |
Vote Requirement: Majority |
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Agreement/Resolution/Ordinance Approved by County Counsel: N/A
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CEO Liaison: Jill Martin, Deputy CEO |
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CEO Review: Yes |
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Comments: