Adult Probation Department Final Report

The current number of Probation Officers assigned to the Department appears to be sufficient with respect to maintaining the system. However, there are additional training and rehabilitation activities that are not being provided due to probation officers’ high volume of Court appearances, submission of Court reports, meetings with victims and families, and ongoing supervision of probationers. The hiring of additional Probation Officers would help spread the work out more evenly and help to reduce recidivism.

The Probation Department is currently working to develop a coordinated case management system, which will assist Probation Officers in managing their caseloads and provide information about the types of services received by probationers.

There are no formal quality assurance and performance evaluation programs to measure the impact that therapeutic treatment activities are having on reducing recidivism. There should be in-house research examining whether cognitive-behavioral groups led by Probation Officers have a positive impact on reducing recidivism. F.4 The Adult Probation Department utilizes Evidence-Based practices such as cognitive behavior therapy but does not collect its own data (outcome measures) as to the efficacy of these groups in reducing recidivism.

The Adult Probation Department utilizes Evidence-Based practices such as cognitive behavior therapy but does not collect its own data (outcome measures) as to the efficacy of these groups in reducing recidivism. F5. Water leaks in the Probation Department have been reported over a period of ten years. Air testing for contaminants such as lead and mold has been requested and air samples have been taken. Public Works has been responsive to reports of water leakage and has followed up with proper clean-up of potentially hazardous materials. F6. Violations of the terms of probation result primarily from the presence of mental illness, drug usage, or gang involvement, but the Department lacks the resources to effectively treat individuals with these designations. F7. The definition of recidivism used in the past is a new violation of the law that occurs during a probation supervision term. There are many ways that recidivism has been looked at in the past under previous administrations. Recidivism is a key subject for data analysis that must be looked at in the future. F8. The job satisfaction of Probation Officers is high yet there can be considerable stress given the constant exposure to handling complex and heart-rending cases involving victims and their families.

Water leaks in the Probation Department have been reported over a period of ten years. Air testing for contaminants such as lead and mold has been requested and air samples have been taken. Public Works has been responsive to reports of water leakage and has followed up with proper clean-up of potentially hazardous materials.

Violations of the terms of probation result primarily from the presence of mental illness, drug usage, or gang involvement, but the Department lacks the resources to effectively treat individuals with these designations.

The definition of recidivism used in the past is a new violation of the law that occurs during a probation supervision term. There are many ways that recidivism has been looked at in the past under previous administrations. Recidivism is a key subject for data analysis that must be looked at in the future. 11

The job satisfaction of Probation Officers is high yet there can be considerable stress given the constant exposure to handling complex and heart-rending cases involving victims and their families. F.9 Since the 2008-2009 Grand Jury investigation there has been a minimal turnover of Probation Officers and consistent reports of job satisfaction and good morale. In addition, opportunities for career advancement are available. 12

Since the 2008-2009 Grand Jury investigation there has been a minimal turnover of Probation Officers and consistent reports of job satisfaction and good morale. In addition, opportunities for career advancement are available. RECOMMENDATIONS