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PRESS RELEASE

Inyo County Chief Probation Officer Jeffrey Thomson Honors Staff and Officers Who Help Keep Communities Safe and Support Justice-Involved Individuals in Celebration of Probation Services Week 2024

Probation Services Week Commemorates the Work of Probation Professionals

INYO, CA, July 19, 2024 – Today, Chief Probation Officer Jeffrey Thomson announced this year’s annual Probation Service Week will be taking place from July 21 to July 27, 2024. to honor probation professionals who work to keep communities safe and support the rehabilitative process for justice-involved individuals under their supervision and care. Throughout the week, the Inyo County Probation Department will be showcasing the work Probation does throughout Inyo County to provide accountability, opportunity, and hope for justice-involved individuals — making a real difference in the lives of people by using evidence-based rehabilitation that helps people achieve long-term success and sustainable community safety.

In anticipation of Probation Services Week, Chief Probation Officer Jeffrey Thomson expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Probation Services Week is the perfect opportunity for the community to recognize the work that probation professionals do every day to keep our communities safe. Probation is the linchpin of the criminal justice system connecting justice involved individuals to services and programs providing opportunity and accountability for positive change”.

Modern Probation officers in California operate in realms beyond traditional probation work, which includes additional training in trauma-informed care, cognitive behavioral therapy, therapeutic and strength-based care, as well as training on emotional intelligence. The unwavering dedication and expertise of probation officers enables them to guide and support justice-involved individuals, assisting them in a successful re-entry into their communities through a balance of enforceable accountability and opportunities for change through transformative rehabilitation programs.

Probation is administered at the county level, allowing for tailored services that address the unique needs of local communities. Acting as the bridge to connect those in the justice system with services such as workforce development, substance use treatment, mental health services, family engagement, education, and more, probation professionals help keep communities safe through individualized supervision and rehabilitative programs.

Probation offers a safe, cost-effective and transformative alternative to incarceration, empowering individuals to make positive changes and embark on a journey toward a brighter future and a safer community. By connecting comprehensive services and addressing the unique needs of justice-involved individuals, probation plays a pivotal role in fostering community safety and restoring their paths to long-term public safety. Our probation officers, equipped with extensive education and specialized training, possess the expertise to skillfully manage the complex needs of justice-involved individuals while upholding the utmost commitment to community well-being.

During Probation Service Week, it is essential to recognize probation officers and staff for their dedication to the people they work with and our community.