Probation Chief Honors Staff and Officers for Probation Week

Source: Santa Barbara County Probation Department

[On Tuesday], Chief Probation Officer Tanja Heitman announced this year’s annual Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week will be recognized July 17 – July 23, 2022 to honor community supervision professionals who work to keep communities safe and support the rehabilitative process for justice-involved individuals under their supervision and care. The Santa Barbara County Probation Department will be showcasing the work Probation does throughout Santa Barbara County to provide accountability, opportunity and hope for justice-involved individuals — making a true difference in the lives of people by using evidence-based rehabilitation that helps people achieve long-term success.

Chief Heitman shared, “It is only through a balanced approach focused on accountability and hope – that we can have a sustainable impact on community safety.  Santa Barbara County Probation Officers and Pretrial Service Specialists work tirelessly to hold justice involved individuals accountable while supporting them with services targeted on their success.”

For decades Probation in California has led, collaborated, and defended effective policies within California’s justice systems. Probation is focused on helping justice-involved individuals transition out of the system permanently through transformative and evidence-based services. Probation Departments work to interlace and maximize the resources available within the courts, local governments, law enforcement, social services, schools, non-profits and the community to reduce recidivism. This approach provides the help and accountability needed to create hope and enhance safety.

The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution commemorating Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week which states, “The Probation Department serves as an essential connector in the justice system, bridging the gap and maximizing the resources available to reduce recidivism by carefully balancing direct human services with research-based deterrents and interventions.”

Probation is an alternative to incarceration and connects services and needs to enhance community safety and the restoration of justice-involved individuals. Probation Department staff are educated, and trained experts prepared to successfully manage the multifaceted needs of justice-involved individuals and community safety.

During Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week it is important to recognize Probation Officers, Juvenile Institutions Officers and Pretrial Service Specialists for their dedication to the people they work with and to our community.

For more information about the County of Santa Barbara Probation Department, go to www.sbprobation.org.