San Bernardino County Probation Department

The San Bernardino County Probation Department serves San Bernardino County, California, which is geographically the largest county in the lower 48 states. The Probation Department supervises juvenile and adult probationers. The department operates two juvenile hall facilities, provides recommendations to the court, and has numerous specialized units to serve the citizens and courts of San Bernardino County.^[1][2]

History

The San Bernardino County Probation Department was founded March 29, 1909.

Mission Statement and Goals

Mission Statement: The Probation Department protects the community through assessment, treatment and control of adult and juvenile offenders by providing a range of effective services based on legal requirements and recognized professional standards. Goals: Ensure Public Safety, Ensure Treatment and Supervision Levels are Based on Criminogenic Risk Factors ^[3]

Organizational structure

The current Chief Probation Officer of San Bernardino County Probation is Michelle Scray Brown. Serving below the Chief are four Deputy Chiefs. The Probation Department is organized into three bureaus. Each bureau is commanded by a Deputy Chief. The bureaus are:

Administrative Services Bureau

This bureau operates the following units:

• Employee Resources- The personnel in this division participate in recruiting, conduct background investigations on potential employees, and are responsible for payroll and benefits.
• Training- This includes the Probation Officer Core Academy, firearms instructors, defensive tactics instructors, and classroom instructors.
• Research

Detentions and Corrections Bureau

The San Bernardino County Probation Department's Detention Corrections Bureau operates two Juvenile Detention facilities, a juvenile placement facility specializing in resocialization and living skills for 707(a) youth, and additional units to oversee home arrest, custody transportation, and courtroom responsibilities. The Central Juvenile Detention Facility in San Bernardino was constructed in 2011 and stands as an example of the most modern, innovative ideas in juvenile detention design in the state. It has a Board of Standards in Community Correction approved capacity of 280 youth. The High Desert Juvenile Detention Facility is located in Apple Valley, California, and is rated for 180 youth. It was brought on line in 2004. A third detention facility, The West Valley Juvenile Detention Center (located in Rancho Cucamonga), was closed for budgetary reasons in 2011 when the new central facility was able to accept the additional population requirements. The West Valley Facility was mothballed for future use in the event of increases in the population of detained youth. It was repurposed for use as an adult day reporting center following the passage of AB 109 Realignment in October 2011.

Community Corrections Bureau

This bureau operates the Juvenile and Adult Services Divisions:

Adult Services

• Adult Investigations

Probation Officers conduct investigations and prepare reports upon referral by the Court. Referrals cover, but are not limited to, such areas as pre- and post-sentence investigations and recommendations, pre-plea recommendations, violations of probation, eligibility for drug diversion, credit for time served, reductions of previously entered pleas, early termination from probation, restitution and miscellaneous issues about which the Court might require information.

• Adult Supervision

The Probation Officers primary function is to make contact with probationers in the community and at their homes. Officers in this unit ensure that probationers comply with their probation terms. This may include serving weekend custody time, community service, paying restitution, and attending counseling programs.

• Diversion Program PC 1000

The goal of this program is to allow the "less serious" drug offender the opportunity to avoid conviction by taking advantage of counseling, education and other treatment options. Successful completion of the program results in the charges being dismissed.

• Drug Court

This is an intense drug treatment program also designed for those convicted of less serious drug offenses. The program includes frequent drug testing, judicial and probation supervision, drug counseling and educational opportunities. In determining suitability for the program, the Judge, the Probation Officer and the attorneys consider factors such as the length of drug usage, familial support and desire for change.

• Mental Health Court

This specialized program diverts mentally impaired offenders from the criminal justice system to highly trained mental health teams who provide close supervision. Participants are required to attend 8-hour counseling programs, five days a week. The Probation Officer interviews candidates, consults with mental health professionals and provides the Court with applicable terms and conditions of probation.

• Domestic Violence Court

This specialized unit supervises offenders convicted of domestic violence charges. This unit provides close supervision of domestic violence offenders and ensures that offenders attend their court mandated domestic violence classes.

• Sex Offender Unit

This specialized unit closely supervises offenders convicted of sexual offenses.

• Gang Unit

This specialized unit closely supervises gang members who have been convicted of crimes.

• Welfare Fraud

Probation Officers in this unit focus on the full repayment of restitution and impose other measures that treat identified problems. Offenders who are unemployed or attending school are referred to the Employee Development Department for employment assistance. Frequent contact with the Department of Human Social Services is made to ensure compliance and reconcile offenders’ accounts.

Juvenile Services

• Juvenile Investigations

Probation Officers conduct investigations and prepare reports upon referral by the Court. Referrals cover, but are not limited to, such areas as pre- and post-dispositional investigations and recommendations, violations of probation, restitution and miscellaneous issues about which the Court might require information.

• After Care

This is an intensive supervision program for minors graduating from out-of-home placements. These minors require intensive supervision and services to provide for a successful transition back into the community. Probation Officers monitor those with whom the ward associates, curfew compliance and school attendance.

• CST

Probation Officers in this unit supervise minors placed on informal probation by the Juvenile Court. Officers set up contracts with each minor for a six-month period. Minors are referred to counseling programs as appropriate, contact is maintained with the family, and restitution is collected during that period.

• School Probation Officers

This unit is composed of Probation Officers who are each assigned to an elementary, middle or high school campus. They work primarily with at-risk youth, identifying students with behavior problems and referring them for counseling. Probation Officers may conduct classes on subjects such as conflict resolution and anger management or address truancy issues.

• Gang Resistance and Education

This unit is composed of Probation Officers who are assigned to teach the G.R.E.A.T. program in elementary and middle schools. G.R.E.A.T. stands for Gang Resistance Education and Training.

• House Arrest Program

This unit is composed of Probation Officers who are assigned to perform home visits on minors to ensure they are cooperating with their house arrest terms and conditions.

• Youth Accountability Board

This is a community based diversion program designed to provide first time misdemeanor offenders with preventative services through a partnership with community volunteers. Volunteers monitor community service progress and school behavior, then report back to the Probation Officer upon successful completion or failure in the program.

• Placement

Probation Officers in this unit are assigned to specific placement programs and conduct monthly visits to the juveniles placed at those facilities by the Juvenile Court. These juveniles have been removed from their homes for their own welfare and for the protection of the community. These settings are highly structured treatment-oriented environments that provide specific counseling and educational needs and are under twenty-four-hour supervision. Probation Officers monitor progress and submit recommendations to the court regarding the minor’s readiness to return home.

• P.R.I.D.E.

PRIDE is a nine to twelve-month community-based program that treats high-risk substance abusers, on probation, who desire to overcome their addictions. The goal is to address the multi-faceted problems of the chemically dependent criminal population. Treatment includes comprehensive probation supervision, weekly drug testing, random searches, intensive individual and group counseling sessions and regular participation in Narcotics Anonymous. The program also offers parenting and anger management classes, educational counseling, job referrals and residential care, if necessary. ^[1]

References