PROBATION DEPARTMENT Larry R. Price Chief Probation Officer

September 30, 2004

The People of Fresno County The Honorable Brad R. Hill, Presiding Judge, California Superior Court, Fresno County The Honorable Denise Whitehead, Presiding Judge, Juvenile Delinquency Court Supervisor Susan B. Anderson, Chair, Fresno County Board of Supervisors Bart Bohn, County Administrative Officer Ruby Hefley, Chair, Juvenile Justice Commission

We submit the Fresno County Probation Department's Annual Report for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2004.

The contents of the Annual Report cover all operational components of the Department. The budget is complex, dependent on federal, state, county, and some city money. The agency currently operates on approximately 59% of General Fund money from the tax base of Fresno County government. This is up from only 42% of General Fund money five years ago.

With the demand for more capacity to incarcerate youth, our institutions budgets are going up while probation budgets are going down. The management infrastructure of the department is very lean and needs a reexamination soon. The ability to supervise adult offenders in the community is not keeping up with the growth while the institutions are well staffed. A 480-bed Juvenile Justice Campus is under construction, on time and on budget, with an opening scheduled in the spring of 2006. Our Continuum of Sanctions includes prevention, intervention, community based supervision of offenders, and incarceration with treatment.

We will not forget the importance of service to victims and we will continue to look for innovative concepts that will make the system better and more cost effective. A component that needs priority is restorative justice.

When Fiscal Year 03-04 ended, permanent positions in the Department were at 547 employees. This number is augmented, at any time, with over 100 extra help per diem employees. The Department's current budget is about $51 million dollars. Each year when we submit our budget proposal to the County Administrative Office we include an overview of the number of positions that we feel we need to serve this growing county. Last year our budget submittal letter identified 204 new positions, many of which were for the supervision of adult felons on probation in our community.

Many positive highlights could be listed for our department this past year but there are so many positive things going on it is best to refer the reader to the contents of this Annual Report.

PROTECTION PREVENTION INTERVENTION

1100 Van Ness/Fresno, California 93721/(559)488-3640/FAX(559)262-4327 Equal Employment Opportunity - Affirmative Action - Handicap Employer

The Probation Department is very diverse in its service delivery to the Criminal Justice System. We cross all lines of programming and disciplines in the justice system. We are viewed as a valued public safety agency in this community thanks to the hard-working dedicated men and women who staff the Fresno County Probation Department. Their loyalty and commitment to this agency deserves exceptional commendations.

Larry R. Price Chief Probation Officer

LRP:sf

*Special thanks to Shelly Riddle, Judy Talent, Nancy Tarlton, Irma Campos, and Dolly Quan for the excellence of this Annual Report.

Chief Price’s Letter...... I. Introduction Probation Administration...... I-1 Court Administration & Fresno County Board of Supervisors ...... I-2 Juvenile Justice Commission ...... I-3 Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council Membership ...... I-4 Mission Statement...... I-5 Department Organizational Chart...... I-6 II. Office of the Chief Finance and Personnel ...... II-1 Human Resources ...... II-2 Probation Volunteers ...... II-3 Public Information ...... II-4 Training/Officer Safety...... II-5 Grant Team ...... II-6 Grant Profile, September 1, 2004 ...... II-7 to II-8 INFOLINK...... II-9 to II-10 Internet Web Site/Intranet Web Site...... II-11 Automation in the Office of the Chief ...... II-12 to II-13 Automation in the Adult Division ...... II-14 Automation in the Juvenile Division ...... II-15 to II-16 III. Juvenile Prevention Services Juvenile Prevention Services ...... III-1 Students Targeted with Opportunity for Prevention...... III-2 IV. Juvenile Justice Campus Juvenile Justice Campus ...... IV-1 News Articles on Juvenile Hall ...... IV-2 to IV-11

I V. Adult Services Adult Division Organizational Chart...... V-1 Continuum of Sentencing Sanctions...... V-2 Honor Release...... V-3 Deferred Entry of Judgment Drug Court ...... V-4 Adult Offender Work Program ...... V-5 Work Furlough Program...... V-6 Electric Monitoring Program...... V-6 Adult Investigation ...... V-7 Adult Field Services...... V-8 Drug Suppression...... V-9 Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act of 2000 (Proposition 36)...... V-10 Domestic Violence...... V-11 to V-12 Help Eliminate Auto Theft...... V-13 Narcotics Enforcement Team ...... V-14 Victim/Witness ...... V-15 Elder Abuse Program...... V-16 VI. Juvenile Services Juvenile Division Organizational Chart...... VI-1 Continuum of Sentencing Sanctions – Juvenile Offenders ...... VI-2 Juvenile Intake ...... VI-3 Juvenile Court Investigations...... VI-4 Juvenile Drug Court...... VI-5 Juvenile Traffic Court...... VI-6 Restorative Justice ...... VI-7 Juvenile Supervision...... VI-8 to VI-9 Police/Probation Teams ...... VI-10 Placement Unit...... VI-11 Multi-Agency Gang Enforcement Consortium...... VI-12 Post EM...... VI-12 Day Reporting Center ...... VI-13 Community School/Probation Project ...... VI-14

II Keep Kids In School ...... VI-15 Kindergarten-6th Grade ...... VI-15 Community Service Work Program...... VI-16 Graffiti Abatement Program ...... VI-16 California Youth Authority...... VI-17 VII. Juvenile Hall Juvenile Hall Organizational Chart...... VII-1 Juvenile Hall ...... VII-2 to VII-4 Pre-Disposition Electronic Monitoring/Supervised Home Detention ...... VII-5 Girls Treatment Program ...... VII-6 Pre-Adolescent Program...... VII-6 Substance Abuse Program ...... VII-7 Juvenile Hall Custody Time ...... VII-7 Administrative Segregation ...... VII-8 Transportation Unit...... VII-8 Jail Pod...... VII-9 VIII. Elkhorn Correctional Facility Elkhorn Correctional Facility Organizational Chart...... VIII-1 Boot Camp Program ...... VIII-2 Delta Program ...... VIII-3 Aftercare Program and the Forward Bound Academy ...... VIII-3 IX. Probation News News Articles...... IX-1 to IX-15 X. Additional Information Office Support Luncheon 2004...... X-1 Outstanding Employees ...... X-2 to X-4 XI. Chief Probation Officers of Fresno County Fresno County Chief Probation Officers ...... XI-1 to XI-4

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Cyndie Adame Beth Bandy Rick Chavez Ollie Dimery-Ratliff Probation Division Director Probation Services Manager Probation Services Manager Probation Division Director Adult Probation Services Training Manager Juvenile Justice Campus Juvenile Hall Facility

Michael Elliott David Gonzales Betsy Lindegren Linda Penner Probation Division Director Probation Services Manager Probation Business Manager Probation Division Director Elkhorn Correctional Facility Personnel Manager Juvenile Probation Services

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The Honorable Brad R. Hill Presiding Judge

The Honorable M. Bruce Smith Presiding Judge

The Honorable Susan B. Anderson, Chair Supervisor, District 2

The Honorable Juan Arambula Supervisor, District 3

The Honorable Judy Case Supervisor, District 4

The Honorable Phil Larson Supervisor, District 1

The Honorable Bob Waterston Supervisor, District 5

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Sanford (Sandy) Brown

James Cotton

Kathi Crump

Lillian Estrada

Ruby Hefley, Chair

Mikie Kapigian

David Robertson

Richard Stafford, Vice Chair

Fred Stein

Billy Ware

Genie Waugh, Secretary

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Juan Arambula Ralph Goldbeck

Larry Arce Ruby Hefley

Phil Atkisson Hon. Brad Hil

Susan Bechera Dr. Peter Mehas

Bart Bohn Roger Palomino

Dr. Terry Bradley Richard Pierce

George Cajiga Larry R. Price, Chair

Connie Clendenon Ken Quenzer

Teresa Davis Hon. Bruce Smith

Jerry Dyer Genie Waugh

Elizabeth Egan Dr. Santiago Wood

Loren French Dr. Gary Zomalt

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As a member of the criminal justice system, the Fresno County Probation Department’s mission is to provide protection for the community, support victim advocacy, and deliver essential services to the courts. This mission is accomplished through collaboration and partnerships which encompass a continuum of sanctions including prevention/intervention programming, investigation, supervision, and incarceration. Larry R. Price Chief Probation Officer

Adult Probation Services Probation Business & Office Support Cyndie Adame Betsy Lindegren Probation Division Director Probation Business Manager Prevention Staff Services Development Superior Victim Automation Financial Court Witness STOP Personnel Training Services Services

EM/AOWP/ Drug Management Office Domestic Violence Suppression Services Support

Juvenile Facility Construction Coordinator

Juvenile Probation Services Elkhorn Correction Facility Juvenile Hall Linda Penner Michael Elliott Ollie Dimery-Ratliff Probation Division Director Probation Division Director Probation Division Director

Adult Court Asst. Director Supervision Services Asst. Director Asst. Director

Juvenile & Campus Placement Supervision

Fiscal FY 00/01 FY 01/02 FY 02/03** FY 03/04** FY 04/05* Salaries & Benefits $ 26,600,228 $ 29,704,932 $ 32,214,269 $ 34,494,645 $ 38,073,336 Services & Supplies $ 7,611,724 $ 9,598,426 $ 10,686,908 $ 9,662,460 $ 10,296,725 Residual Equity Transfers $ 341,355 $ 153,357 $ 140,126 $ 15,456 $ 102,189 Support Other Persons $ 3,752,442 $ 3,338,567 $ 2,787,760 $ 2,701,259 $ 3,100,100 Other Financing $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - Fixed Assets $ 13,284 $ 13,153 $ - $ - $ 65,400 Total Expenditures $ 38,319,033 $ 42,808,435 $ 45,829,064 $ 46,873,910 $ 51,637,750

Cost Applied $ 1,678,572 $ 1,967,501 $ 2,899,821 $ 2,812,091 $ 3,153,865 Federal Revenues $ 9,146,152 $ 8,250,417 $ 12,501,588 $ 9,663,870 $ 3.230,347 State Revenues $ 3,523,204 $ 5,309,807 $ 7,556,754 $ 4,877,887 $ 4,601,021 Fees, Fines & Forfeitures $ 1,792,648 $ 2,189,504 $ 3,350,822 $ 3,829,436 $ 3.874,406 Miscellaneous $ 2,303,867 $ 2,371,018 $ 1,584,388 $ 1,012,284 $ 2,829,512 Special Transfer Funds $ 3,783,869 $ 2,026,537 $ 2,567,140 $ 2,524,194 $ 2,586,143 Juvenile Jail Pod Designation Funds $ - $ - $ - $ 968,639 $ 1,023,124 Enterprise Fund Retained Earnings $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - Total Revenues $ 22,228,313 $ 22,114,785 $ 30,460,513 $ 25,688,405 $ 21,298,418

Net County Cost $ 16,090,720 $ 20,693,650 $ 15,368,550 $ 21,185,505 $ 30,339,332 % 42% 48% 34% 45% 59%

Personnel FY 00/01 FY 01/02 FY 02/03 FY 03/04 FY 04/05* Dep Prob Off I/II/III/IV 143 150 141 125 125 Juvenile Correctional Officer I/II 203 232 246 246 246 and Sr. All Other Classifications 177 188 176 176 176 Total Permanent Positions 523 570 563 547 547

Demographics*** FY 00/01 FY 01/02 FY 02/03 FY 03/04 FY 04/05* County Population 803,300 819,200 836,100 841,400 855,400

* FY 00/01 through 03/04 reflect actual expenditures & collections, FY 04/05 is based on BOS Adopted Budget ** 02-03 Revenues are overstated due to a onetime influx of $3.1 million TANF PI Funds and a revenue accrual of $1.3 million JJCPA Funds associated with encumbrance for STOP. 03-04 Revenues are overstated due to $2.2 million TANF PI Funds ***Population estimates obtained from State of California, Department of Finance

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Beth Wilson Bandy, Probation Services Manager, is the Personnel Manager in the Office of the Chief’s Human Resources Unit. The Human Resources Unit consists of two Program Technicians, three part-time extra help Background Investigators and one part-time extra help Internal Affairs Investigator.

The Human Resources Unit coordinates and manages the Probation Department’s Personnel activities. The staff in this unit work with the department’s employees, volunteers, potential employees, and other County Departments to administer personnel-related matters, including:

¾ Recruitment and hiring of new staff ¾ In-house recruitment for promotional opportunities ¾ Background investigations ¾ Employee relations matters including grievances and contract negotiations ¾ Internal affairs investigations ¾ Citizens complaints ¾ Risk management ¾ Employee benefits ¾ Paperwork processing for pay increases, promotions, on the job injuries, leaves of absences, reclassifications, annual leave donations

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Since its implementation in January of 1998, the Volunteers in Probation program has become an integral part of the Probation Department. Volunteers are involved in each division of the Department and play an important role in the rehabilitative process of both youthful and adult offenders. They also assist crime victims and help in the day-to-day operation of the Department by using office and computer skills.

The volunteers come from varied sources including churches, colleges, service groups, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program and some are just caring and concerned individuals. Individually, the volunteers commit to working from four to fifteen hours per week.

Also included in Volunteers in Probation is the internship program with Fresno Pacific University Social Work Department and the Criminology Department and the Department of Social Work at California State University Fresno. The Department also benefits from students placed through various work-study programs and Job Placement Services at Fresno City College.

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The Probation Department continues to develop and nurture a strong relationship with the citizens of Fresno County. One of the ways the Probation Department heightens community awareness is by making presentations to churches, public and private agencies, service clubs, schools, colleges, media, interest groups and youth groups. Community presentations cover such topics as victim services, the criminal justice system, juvenile justice system, employment, the Elkhorn Correctional Facility, placement, drug courts, gangs, elder and child abuse, domestic violence and specialized Fresno County Probation Department programs. The opportunity to meet and interact with a variety of groups presented a unique opportunity to share information and form lasting bonds. Often, their interest in providing the Probation Department with assistance was first spurred at a presentation by a Department employee.

During the fiscal year 2003/04, Fresno County Probation staff made 25 presentations with approximately 2000 attendees in the audience. These presentations totaled 62 hours.

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David Gonzales, Probation Services Manager, in charge of the Fresno County Probation Department Training.

The training program within the Fresno County Probation Department is governed under the rules and regulations of the Standards and Training in Corrections (STC) Program, under the legal authority of the Board of Corrections. All sworn officers are mandated to complete a minimum number of training hours each year. Juvenile Correctional Officers must complete 24 hours, and Supervising Juvenile Correctional Officers and Deputy Probation Officers must complete 40 hours each year. In addition to state mandated training, the department also conducts/contracts training for Business and Office Support Services staff. Between these three groups, the department conducted over 23,114.5 hours of training for 631 employees, at a cost of over $360,000.00. The total STC training conducted in fiscal year 2004 was 20,884 hours.

Training is conducted for our officers and support staff by outside providers (contractors) and by current employees who utilize their expertise in certain areas. A partial list of the classes of our officers and support staff attended this year are: First Aid/CPR/Bloodborne Pathogens, Officer Safety Level II, Simunition Instructor Certification, OC Certification, Weaponless Defensive Techniques, Defensive Weapons Techniques for Probation Level III, PC832 with Firearms, CORE (Manager/Administrator, Supervisor, DPO, JJC), Determinate Sentencing Law Update, Juvenile Law Update, Adult Law Update and Tactical Communications.

This is the fourth year that our department has conducted Defensive Weapons Technique for Probation – Level III classes. Officers are run through different in-home, in-office, school site scenarios where they have the ability to actually engage a live/move “threat” (Role-player). This training has been lauded by law enforcement and military personnel nationwide for the realism it brings to training. According to recent data from Simunitions Ltd. we are currently the only probation department in the country conducting simunition training for their department as a whole.

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The Probation Grant Development Team was established in December of 1998 to centralize the development and coordination of grant applications. This team, consisting of a Staff Analyst and Program Technician, is responsible for:

¾ Grant Writing ¾ Seeking out available grant funding ¾ Reviewing requests for proposals and providing management with a summary and recommendation ¾ Collecting statistics ¾ Coordinating development and submittal of grant applications and renewal packages

The Staff Analyst also assists other agencies and departments during collaborative grant projects.

During Fiscal Year 2003-04, one direct grant application was submitted and it is pending grant award notification. In addition, we partnered on the development of three grant proposals with other agencies, and submitted three augmentation packets. Further, the Grant Team provided continued assistance with the development of the Juvenile Justice Campus Staffing Plan.

In September of 2003, with the advent of the dismantling of the Office of Criminal Justice Programs (OCJP), the Grant Unit both processed and coordinated the processing of various required documents in order to close out the grants with OCJP and transfer them to the new funding agencies. The Juvenile Drug Court grant, funded through the Juvenile Accountability Block Grant (JABG), is now administered by the Board of Corrections. The Victim Witness Assistance Center, Violent Offender Intensive Supervision Endeavor (VOISE), and Elder Abuse grants are now all administered by the Office of Emergency Services.

Further, the Grant Unit is now participating in a mandated on-line reporting system, through the Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention in regards to the Juvenile Drug Court grant.

II-6 PROBATION DEPARTMENT: PROFILE OF GRANTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 1, 2004

Departments/Orgs. Grant $$ $$ Match Positions Contact Grant Title Funding Agency Status Fiscal/Resource Amount Required Added Person Involvement

Funded 7/01/03- Office of Criminal Probation **Narcotics Enforcement Prob $96,565 6/30/04 Justice Planning, None 1 DPO III Norm Baird District Attorney Team (NET) FY 03/04 FSO State of California Sheriff A, F submitted application Funded 7/01/03 – 1 PSM, 8 perm. 6/30/04 Office of Emergency $666,545 Victim Witness Victim/Witness Program None Joy Thompson 2nd year Probation A, F Services FY 03/04 Advocate, 1 OA, paperwork 1 Program Tech submitted 8/30/04 Probation Funded **Senate Bill 1095 State Board of 3 – DPO III’s Probation $260,000 for 5 None Mike Elliott 2/14/04 – (Teilman) Education 1 – OA County Schools A,F years. 06/30/08

Funded 1 EH DPO 7/01/03- Juvenile Accountability FY 03-04 Back-fill Betsy Office of Emergency 06/30/04 Probation A,F Block Grant – Juvenile $147,411 plus $16,379 DPO III Lindegren & Services Application Court Drug Court match 1 E.H. Prob Cyndie Adame submitted Technician 6/11/04

A indicates Department assuming administrative lead for grant F indicates Department assuming fiscal lead for grant ** These grants are “agreements” with agencies from which the grants were originally submitted and funded. Probation acts as a “subcontractor” in fulfilling obligations of the grant. *** Subject to OCJP dismantling

PROBATION DEPARTMENT: PROFILE OF GRANTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 1, 2004

Departments/Orgs. Grant $$ $$ Match Positions Contact Grant Title Funding Agency Status Fiscal/Resource Amount Required Added Person Involvement

Probation A,F DA 1 Permanent Funded Sheriff Victim Witness 4th year Rural PD’s Comprehensive Elder Office of Criminal Advocate and 1 10/1/03 – HSS $100,388 $5,948 Joy Thompson Abuse Program Justice Planning Extra Help 9/30/04 Public Guardian Victim Witness 5th yr. App TRIAD Advocate pending FMAAA Long Term Care Ombudsman $24,120,000 CAO Juvenile Facility Funded Board of Corrections Maximum 25% None Larry Price Public Works A,F 2002-2006 Construction Grant for 240 beds Probation .2 FTE PSM Funded Probation Indirect up to 7/1/03 - The California 1 - DPO III Court 31% as 6/30/04 Drug Court Partnership Department of 1 - Probation Cyndie HSS A,F $168,592 needed; and Program (PCDC) Alcohol & Drug Tech Adame District Attorney drug testing 04/05 Programs 1 – OA III Public Defender costs offset by Application Sheriff client fees submitted. A, F Funded 2nd Probation 1 – DPO IV year 10/1/03 FPD VOISE – Probation Office of Emergency 25% Michelle $100,000 .6 – EH DPO III – 9/30/04 FSO Services $33,333 Ramos Specialized Units .5 - OA 3rd yr. App Marjoree Mason due 9/3/04 Rape Counseling

A indicates Department assuming administrative lead for grant F indicates Department assuming fiscal lead for grant ** These grants are “agreements” with agencies from which the grants were originally submitted and funded. Probation acts as a “subcontractor” in fulfilling obligations of the grant. *** Subject to OCJP dismantling

The Fresno County Probation Department’s monthly newsletter, "INFOLINK," had its first issue published in September 1997. The motto is “linking staff together through sharing information.” Contents include departmental programs, personnel profiles, staff activities and accomplishments, and a monthly commentary by the Chief Probation Officer. The average length of the “INFOLINK” has increased from 10 pages, when it began, to 16 pages for last year. "INFOLINK" is a crucial portion of our department's communication system. A committee made up of members representing all parts of the Department is primarily responsible for the development of articles. This last year saw the number of unsolicited articles drastically increase. Each month, 800 copies are distributed to current staff, retirees, local judges, legislators, departmental boards and commissions, and other interested parties.

The seventh Special Anniversary Edition was published in September 2004. We have included the cover of the anniversary edition with photos covering highlights of the past year.

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Volume 8, 7th Anniversary Edition September, 2004

Grand Prize

7th Anniversary Issue

Internet - During Fiscal Year 2002/03, Fresno County Probation continued to publish the Probation Department Internet Web Site, located at http://www.co.fresno.ca.us/3430/home.html. This Web Site contains both a “text only” and “graphics” version of the web page.

Both sites provide information regarding the Department Mission, its staff and services, as well as current and historical fiscal and personnel information. Each site provides Electronic Mail capability to viewers wishing to correspond with the Probation Department.

The graphic site also is used to electronically publish the monthly Probation Department Newsletter “INFOLINK” and provides links to recent department Press Releases and the Annual Report.

Intranet (Probnet) - An Intranet Web Site, http://probnet, is maintained for all Probation staff. This Intranet Site is used to share information department wide, while maintaining the information in only one location. Some of the information available on the “Probnet” site includes:

• All Administrative and Division Policy and Procedures Manuals • The Annual Report • Minutes from the Executive Council meetings, the Management Team meetings and the Training Committee Meetings • A bulletin board with job opportunities • Memorandum of Understandings • Photos of new employees with their name, work site, etc. (posted for one month) • Press Releases • Employee Payroll Manual • Templates used department wide • Links to other Fresno County sites • Etc.

Intranet (Pro-Manage) - An Intranet Web Site, http://pro-manage, is maintained for use by the Probation Management staff only. This Intranet Site is used to share appropriate information with management, some of which includes:

• Cell phone bills for review by management • Memorandum of Understandings • Facility Floorplans • Grant Reports • Training Information • Etc. • Intranets (Pro-Support and Pro-JuvHall) - Intranet Web Sites, http://pro-support and http://pro- juvhall, are maintained for use by the support staff and juvenile hall staff only. These sites contain information, templates, etc. specific to these staff members.

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To manage various functions under the Office of the Chief, numerous Access databases had been developed and implemented. Over the last year, several of these Access databases have been eliminated and the functions have been added to the same platform as our Adult and Juvenile Automation systems. These new systems run within our Adult Probation System (APS).

A Pre-Employment component, which captures information on the individuals applying for employment with the Probation Department was converted from Access to run within our browser based APS system. The component records information concerning the applicant, the position for which they are applying and their status within the process. All correspondence with the applicant is generated from the system, i.e. notification of interviews, physical/psychological evaluations, letters of acceptance/rejection, etc.

A Post-Employment component used to manage information on Probation employees was also converted to APS. This component includes all personal information on the employee, carries a history of start/stop dates within a position, step increases, promotions, etc. In addition, this component captures any leave of absence information and on-the-job injury information for an employee. All positions within the Probation Department are tracked and whether that position is filled or vacant. Numerous reports can be generated from the system.

The Training Access database was converted to APS and is used to track the number of Standards and Training for Corrections (STC) hours per employee, as well as any additional training attended by Probation staff. The training information is linked to the personnel database, which eliminates maintaining a separate record for the staff.

A Personnel Inventory component exists and is also linked to the personnel data. This component allows entry of all equipment by category, i.e. cell phone, pager, vehicle, etc. The equipment is then assigned to a specific employee or Probation Unit. This new system is then viewable by all of Probation Management for verification of equipment location. As staff leave the Department, it is very easy to determine the equipment assigned to that staff member in order to request return of the issued items. It is also very easy to determine any equipment unassigned and ready for issuing when needed.

All Probation staff have the ability to view their personnel information (demographic and current position information), equipment assigned to them, as well as any training for which they are scheduled and have attended. Supervisors have the ability to view this same information for all staff under their supervision.

Probation currently maintains four separate Access databases to handle the collection of fees and fines at four different locations. The databases carry the Probationer's name, date of birth, probation number, etc. plus any charges, receipts, and disbursements for that probationer. When making a payment, the probationer's receipt is generated from the database. Daily journals are generated for charges, receipts, and disbursements and balanced with funds received and disbursed. Additional reports are also generated from within the database. In the next couple of months, we will be implementing a new Accounts Receivable database, which will replace the four existing separate databases. The new system will

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interface with the County’s Revenue Reimbursement Department (RRD) to automatically transfer to RRD any outstanding charges. An interface with RRD was developed during fiscal year 2002/2003 from the Juvenile Automation System (JAS) and the Adult Probation System (APS). This interface automatically transfers information on a Probationer to the RRD system for any fees or fines to be collected by RRD. In addition, RRD also supplies Probation with an electronic update of the Probationer’s account status, which can be viewed within the Probation systems.

Two remaining Access databases for tracking Internal Affairs and Citizen’s Complaints are also in the process of being converted to the browser based platform. Implementation of these components should occur within the next few months.

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The Adult Probation System known as “APS” has been operational since October 2002. This Intranet, client/server, based system houses all information on adult defendants referred to Fresno County Probation.

Since implementation, several Microsoft Access applications used to track programs such as: 1) Adult Offender Work Program, 2) Work Furlough, 3) Domestic Violence, 4) Pre-Trial Drug Court, 5) Post Conviction Drug Court, 6) Proposition 36, etc. have been eliminated and incorporated into APS. The last two of the existing Access databases should be converted to APS in the next couple of months.

Imaging is also part of the new adult system (APS). We are collecting photos of the Probationers at the time of the initial contact after sentencing and these photos are placed into APS to appear on the Probationer’s on-line face sheet. We are also collecting photos of scars, marks, and tattoos and these are also available within APS as a visual associated with a recorded scar, mark, or tattoo. Document imaging is utilized and we are currently imaging all Court Reports, monthly report forms from the defendants, position drug tests, etc. Work Furlough is a completely paperless program and the Adult Offender Work Program hard copy files are destroyed once the defendant completes his/her work time and the appropriate paperwork has been imaged.

All of the Probationer associated documents prepared by Probation (Court Reports, CLETS Requests, Treatment Referrals, etc.) are generated from APS. These are Word templates which when originated from within APS will pre-fill any information available in APS and then open a Word document for further input.

Probation also shares its data with outside law enforcement agencies via an Internet site called “sharenet.” The information from both the Juvenile Automation System and the Adult system are available from this site. Our Department has six wireless laptops, which are assigned to each of the supervision units (Adult and Juvenile). Sharenet and the wireless laptops allow our officers to obtain information on Probationers while in the field as well as add field notes (chronos) into the probationer’s record. In addition, the officers can access their County e-mail to send or receive over the wireless connection.

An interface exists between both the Juvenile and Adult Probation Systems and the Revenue Reimbursement Division. This interface automatically transfers information on a Probationer to the RRD system for any fees or fines to be collected by RRD. In addition, RRD also supplies Probation with an electronic update of the Probationer’s account status, which can be viewed within the Probation systems.

In order for the Adult Probation Officers to make more informed decisions regarding probation recommendations and to be better prepared to deal with formal probationers, they have access to some very useful automation systems. The majority of the Deputy Probation Officers in the Adult areas have been trained in the use of the Parole LEADS system and numerous officers have been trained and are using the Cal-Gang system. These are in addition to other automated systems our officers are using such as the Sheriff's Record Management System, the Court's automation systems, the District Attorney's "STAR" system, etc. In addition, staff utilize a local site known as M.A.R.S. (Multi-Agency Records System) which also contains links to Cal-Photo and DMV Photos.

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The Juvenile Automation System known as “JAS” has been operational since August 14, 1999. This Intranet, client/server, based system houses all information on minors for the Juvenile Prevention Services Unit, the Juvenile Probation Division, the Juvenile Hall Division, and the Elkhorn Correctional Facility Division.

Access to the appropriate information per individual is based on what are called "Views." From within JAS, the Systems and Procedures Analyst for Probation has the ability to assign permission to the information (Views), which should be accessed by members of the Probation Department as well as outside agencies. The Chief Probation Officer has determined the information that should be included in the various views for the outside agencies. In addition, he has provided direction on who in the outside agencies should have access to this information. Some of the outside agencies having a specific “View” to access the appropriate information in JAS are the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Revenue Reimbursement Division, the Public Defender, the Court, the Clinic and Mental Health staff within the institutions, the District Attorney’s Office, and the Sheriff’s Department.

The Clovis Police Department, Fresno Police Department, and all other rural law enforcement offices also have access to this information from our Internet site called “Sharenet.” “Sharenet” allows access to information from the Juvenile Probation and Adult Probation systems.

Some of the information included in JAS is name, aliases, on-line photographs, date of birth, address and phone information for the juvenile and any known relatives, custody status, status indicators (warrant, formal probation, electronic monitoring, etc.), gang affiliation, assigned probation officer, school attending, and more. In addition, all case actions (bookings, citations, court appearances, etc.) are chronicled in descending sequence. Scars, marks and tattoos are captured and displayed both visually and descriptively on-line. A fingerprint is captured digitally at time of booking and used to verify identity when the juvenile is released or rebooked. Medical information about the juvenile is being captured on- line at time of booking and any property removed from the juvenile is recorded and the juvenile’s electronic signature is being captured, verifying articles removed from the minor.

All program information including, Electronic Monitoring (EM), Supervised Home Detention (SHD), Community Service Work Program (CSWP) and Graffiti Abatement Program (GAP) information (days scheduled, days attended and grade), special classes (Aggressive Offender, etc.) is now being tracked in JAS. Officers wishing to know how their probationer is doing, with regard to their CSWP or GAP contract, can view this information in JAS rather than phoning for a progress report.

Booking, in-custody tracking, and release functions are all handled in JAS by the institutions. The units/barracks have the ability to record the minor's assigned bed within the unit/barrack, make chrono notations on minors, track visiting and phone calls, record points earned and lost, etc. A function is built into the Booking portion of JAS to help ensure that all juveniles have completed their initial phone call and to help track who is still in the Booking area and not yet moved to a unit.

The photos captured on the Fresno Police Department’s E-Mug System in booking are placed into JAS. A “Population Management” component is part of JAS and allows tracking of all information needed to

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manage the population in Juvenile Hall and to also provide statistics required for the Board of Corrections. Some of the information captured in this component includes tracking of the most serious charge and the charge level for which the minor is currently in custody. Tracking of the minor’s pre-disposition and post- disposition status, pending release to the California Youth Authority, an out-of-home placement, a boot camp commitment, a Juvenile Hall commitment, scheduled release date, etc. is also tracked in this section.

All statistical information required by Probation and the Board of Corrections is available real time within JAS. This includes the current information for the institutions, numbers booked/released to date during a specific month and year, minors currently in custody by sex, race, age, etc. Some of the Probation information includes current caseloads by probation type, felony/misdemeanor, disposition on citations and bookings, petitions filed, etc. For special statistical requests, adhoc reporting is extremely easy and completed by the Automation Unit staff.

The majority of the case documents are now being imaged and associated with the minor’s record in JAS. Some entire files have been scanned and are available for staff to view from their PC rather than having to attempt to locate the hardcopy file. In some cases, minors with new citations, a hardcopy file is no longer created unless the citation goes to Court. Once the citation is closed out, all paperwork associated with that citation is imaged and the hardcopies are destroyed. Word documents originated from with a minor’s JAS record (Court Reports, etc.) can be placed directly into the imaging system eliminating the need to scan these documents. The officer’s electronic signatures are placed on the documents prior to indexing in the system.

The entire Probation Department utilizes a fax server allowing staff to send and receive faxes from their PC’s. This fax server allows faxing of the above-mentioned images from within JAS or from any other PC application allowing printing. Incoming faxes go directly into the individual's Outlook Mailbox and arrive as any other e-mail with the fax attached. This service is being used for all incoming faxes on electronic monitoring cases. The hundreds of pieces of paper that were previously faxed to a fax machine, thus being printed out, are now received via e-mail. These faxes/e-mails are then forwarded to the supervising Probation Officers for review. The Probation Officer then only prints violations of electronic monitoring conditions if needed.

A component in JAS accomodates the tracking of Juvenile Court Reports. This component, tracks the minor’s hearing date, the type of hearing requiring a report, the type of report, the officer assigned to complete the report, the dates associated with a draft being completed, the final being completed, the report being sent to the Court, etc.

Juvenile Probation is e-filing all Court Reports. As mentioned earlier, the Deputy Probation Officers, as well as the Probation Services Manager, is attaching his/her electronic signature to the report. The reports are then e-mailed or printed to the appropriate locations (the Court, District Attorney, and defense attorney).

An interface exists between both the Juvenile and Adult Probation Systems and the Revenue Reimbursement Division. This interface automatically transfers information on a Probationer to the RRD system for any fees or fines to be collected by RRD. In addition, RRD also supplies Probation with an electronic update of the Probationer’s account status, which can be viewed within the Probation systems.

As business processes change or more efficient methods of performing Probation tasks are identified, JAS is modified to handle the changes. During this past year, the multitude of Juvenile Probation documents generated on a minor were all added to JAS to allow prefilling of data from the JAS database. In addition to the benefit of prefilling data, this now allows maintenance of the templates in one central location rather than the necessity of distributing to each desktop machine.

II-16

Philip Kader, Prevention Services Manager, in charge of the Students Targeted with Opportunities for Prevention Program (STOP). The Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act funded program consists of seven Deputy Probation Officers, one Staff Analyst, one Accountant, two Program Technicians and an Office Assistant.

The Juvenile Prevention Services (JPS) team has been positioned under the direct control of the Office of the Chief. JPS is a combination of what was formally the Challenge Grant II funded Youth Challenge Community Program and the Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act (JJCPA) funded Students Targeted with Opportunities for Prevention. The program has given Probation the opportunity to coordinate a collaborative effort that includes Deputy Probation Officers, Police Officers, school staff, volunteers and contracted community-based organizations. These are school site based projects whose mission is to provide prevention and early intervention services to 10 – 14 year old, at-risk youth and their families. It is also designed to gauge the effectiveness of those interventions in reducing the number of school related problems, juvenile delinquency, substance and alcohol abuse, family dysfunction, and gang involvement.

Juvenile Prevention Services utilizes a relationship-based wraparound approach to the family strength- based interventions at the seven sites. Four of the communities are in the rural areas surrounding the metropolitan Fresno area. Two sites are in the inner city and one site is in suburbia. The school site collaboration of all the agencies provide the youth and their families the necessary tools to positively impact the behavior that led to the referral to the program. The goal is to reduce the risk factors that increase the likelihood of involvement in the juvenile justice system. By collaborating with other government agencies, schools, and most importantly the community, there is a unified effort to intervene early in a youth’s life. Utilizing all the tools offered within the neighborhoods served also enhances the opportunity for the services to directly respond to the needs of the individual communities.

In 2003 PSM Kader presented workshops on STOP and crime prevention at the Judicial Council’s 100th Anniversary of the Juvenile Courts Conference in Los Angeles (with DPO III Manuel Castro and Dr. Merle Canfield) and the California Public Defender Association’s Conference in Monterey. The Wellness Foundation funded a community convening in June to showcase the STOP project and other community based crime prevention efforts at the Fresno Convention Center Exhibit Hall. The STOP program was also featured at the 2nd Annual Youth Summit in conjunction with the K-6 program at the County Plaza Ballroom in May.

III-1

The Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act (JJCPA) is the legislation that provides funding to probation departments throughout the state to develop and implement prevention and early intervention programs. The California Board of Corrections is the monitoring agent and assists in ensuring compliance of the JJCPA. Fresno County Probation received 2.7 million dollars. The Students Targeted with Opportunities for Prevention Program (STOP) received the necessary approval of the Fresno County Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council and continued to serve over 400 youth a year at the seven designated community sites that include 13 school campuses.

The Youth Challenge Community Program began in 1999 as a Challenge Grant II demonstration project at three sites: Mendota-Firebaugh, Alta Sierra Middle School in Clovis and Tehipite Middle School in Fresno. Grant funds were fully expended by the middle of the last fiscal year and the California Board of Corrections approved a modification that fully integrated it into the STOP program. This combination led to a continuing effort that blended both programs into one juvenile crime prevention model.

The school based program uses selected school sites based on needs developed through the Fresno County Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council. There was a strong need demonstrated for crime prevention services in the rural areas as well as a balance of opportunities to the inner city and suburbia. Adding to the already established sites were: Parlier Middle School, Brelectic Elementary, Cesar E. Chavez Elementary and Martinez Elementary in Parlier, Caruthers Elementary, Huron Middle School and Sequoia Middle School in southeast Fresno.

The STOP model uses a variety of relationship-based programs to interact with students at each site. Through a strong mentoring program, sound responsible adult relationships have developed, thus strengthening the student’s overall support system. This approach has increased student’s self-esteem, which has resulted in better grades, attendance, attitude and behavior in school.

The STOP program served approximately 400 students and families this year and well over 1,550 youth since it began in 1999. The Board of Supervisors approved and renewed the Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council plan, resolution and related contracts with the community-based organizations on April 27, 2004. Coupled with the continued funding from the Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act, Chief Price’s commitment to a full continuum of services, and the continued support from all the communities involved, STOP remains a vibrant alternative crime prevention effort.

Process and outcome measurements continue to be collected to evaluate the effectiveness of the methodology and results of the program. These different community settings have developed a better understanding of how to best serve the unique needs at each site and provide a comprehensive data collection and subsequent evaluation opportunity. This was best exemplified when PSM Kader and DPO Manuel Castro joined the contracted data evaluator Dr. Merle Canfield from Alliant University at the 100th Anniversary of the Juvenile Courts Conference in Los Angeles in December of 2003. Statistical data clearly indicates that youth that receive these program services do significantly better at school, home and in the community.

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Rick Chavez, Division Director (upgrade), is the project coordinator for the Juvenile Justice Campus. He is responsible for representing the Department in all areas and items related to the project. He works closely with representatives from the Administrative Office, Public Works, and Board of Corrections as well as the project architect and construction management firm.

Many exciting milestones have been reached in the past year at the Juvenile Justice Campus (JJC) construction site. As last years Annual Report went to press, Harris Construction Company had been awarded the contract for Bid-Package One, which was all site preparation, associated infrastructure and the Central Plant. The contract for Bid-Package Two (the buildings) was awarded by the Board of Supervisors on March 2, 2004 to Clark Construction Company. Kaweah Construction Company was subsequently awarded the contract for Bid-Package Three, the waste- water treatment facility. Bid- Package Four, the Juvenile Delinquency Court Building, is on hold pending funding. The JJC remains on schedule and within budget, which is truly commendable given the size and complexity of the project. The vision, championed by Chief Probation Officer Larry R. Price, for Fresno County to construct a state of the art juvenile correctional facility is well on the path to fruition.

The JJC is located on the southwest corner of Freeway 99 and American Avenue. The County acquired 220 acres at this site and a master plan was developed which addressed the county’s juvenile justice needs well into the 21st century. The current construction, the first of a planned four phased build-out, is utilizing 100 of those acres. Funding for the project was secured in part through a 24 million-dollar grant from the California Board of Corrections as well as projected future payments from tobacco settlement monies and the issuance of Certificates of Participation.

The initial phase of the JJC, scheduled for occupancy in March 2006, consists of a 240-bed detention facility and a 240-bed commitment facility. The Institutional Core Building, also known as administration/intake, will consist of intake, medical, mental health, and institution administration. The Central Plant will contain storage, the laundry, maintenance, and other related functions. The site will also have its own water treatment facility. The Juvenile Delinquency Court Building, when funded, will not only house four courtrooms, but will provide offices for all agencies that provide service to the Court.

IV-1 Juvenile hall gets bids $8m less than expected

By Jim Davis July 19, 2003 The Fresno Bee

The two lowest bids to construct the first part of a new juvenile hall complex in Fresno County came in about $8 million less than expected, officials said Friday.

The project is being bid in three phases. The initial phase was estimated to cost $40 million, but low bids came in around $32 million.

“Obviously, this is really good news,” said Greg Reinke, the county’s project manager.

Supervisor Susan B. Anderson said the savings will give the county a cushion as it goes out to bid on the rest of the project.

“That’s great it’s under bid,” she said.

The county is building a new juvenile campus on 220 acres at American Avenue and Freeway 99 south of Fresno. In addition to a 480-bed detention facility, it will feature a juvenile court building and a school.

Set to open in 2006, it will replace Juvenile Hall at 10th Street and Ventura Avenue, which is decades old and has too few beds.

The lowest submitted bid for the new complex was $31.17 million from Harris Construction Co. Inc. of Fresno.

County counsel needs to analyze lists of subcontractors that the Nelson firm submitted before county staff can recommend which company supervisors should choose.

Supervisors will take up the issue July 29th.

The overall project at American Avenue has been estimated to cost $171.1 million. The county has raised $119.5 million and is negotiating with the state to pay for the $30 million cost of the court.

Reinke cautioned that the county still needs to bid the last phases of the project and those could come in higher than estimated by county administration, public planning and consultants.

“That’s sure not our hope,” Reinke said. “Our hope is we’ve done our homework.”

The county has had nothing but good luck on the project, including getting a state grant and finding ideal land for the project, Supervisor Bob Waterston said.

“God, we’re going to put a shovel into the ground this year,” he said.

IV-2 Juvenile Hall contract awarded

By Jim Davis July 30, 2003 The Fresno Bee

Fresno County supervisors awarded a $32 million contract Tuesday to a Fresno contractor to build the first phase of a new juvenile hall and surrounding campus south of Fresno.

Supervisors gave the contract to Harris Construction after rejecting the lowest submitted by Lewis C. Nelson and Sons of Selma.

Nelson’s bid was $506,770 less than Harris’ bid, but Nelson’s bid contained two errors, and supervisors said they needed to follow their long-standing practice of being strict on the bidding practice.

“In the long run, it’s important to have a consistent policy,” said Supervisor Susan B. Anderson. “In the long run, it will save the county money.”

Dwight Nelson, who owns the Selma company, called the mistakes minor and inadvertent clerical errors, noting one of the errors was leaving off the location of a subcontractor.

Both bids were more than $8 million less then estimated for the first phase of the project.

The county is building the 480-bed juvenile hall and campus and juvenile courthouse on 220 acres at American Avenue and Freeway 99.

The construction is expected to begin next month. The total project has been estimated to cost $176 million and will replaced the decades-old and cramped Juvenile Hall at 10th Street and Ventura Avenue.

The first phase of the project will include clearing of the land, construction of a warehouse and building roads.

Supervisors were told Tuesday that five companies bid on the project, including Harris and Nelson and Sons.

In the bidding process, contractors are required by law to list their subcontractors and the location of those businesses. The contractors must also follow up with-in 24 hours with addresses and how much those contractors will be building on the project.

County staff told supervisors that Nelson left off the location of one subcontractor, J.A. Sanders of Clovis, and switched one subcontractor with another.

Nelson protested to the supervisors Tuesday, saying that they were rejecting his bid even though it would save more than $500,000.

County Counsel Phil Cronin told supervisors the guidelines help prevent bid shopping, or allowing contractors to change subcontractors to seek lower prices after getting contracts.

He also told supervisors that a previous board once rejected a bid that arrived seconds after the deadline.

IV-3 “Your board has been very strict and, rightly so, without any adverse reactions,” Cronin said.

Public Works Director Richard Brogan said the county needs to follow its guidelines, or future bidders could ask for their errors to be overlooked.

“This could be a precedent you may want to avoid,” Brogan said.

Nelson is working on or has completed $175 million worth of construction on several prison projects throughout California and also constructed Sunnyside High School in Fresno.

Harris built the $35.8 million Fresno Heart Hospital and worked on Cheese & Protein International, the $150 million cheese and dairy plant in Tulare County.

Work on juvenile hall could kick off today

By Jim Davis August 18, 2003 The Fresno Bee

Construction could begin as soon as today on a $176 million juvenile hall and surrounding campus south of Fresno.

Harris Construction just needs to get approval on its plan to deal with dust to start the initial groundwork, said Tim Marsh, the company’s president.

The project will replace the decades-old, too-small and too-cramped Fresno County Juvenile Hall on 10th Street and Ventura Avenue in Fresno.

Probation Chief Larry Price said he hopes the juvenile hall and surrounding campus will improve chances of rehabilitating youths.

The county is building the 480-bed juvenile hall and campus including a juvenile courthouse, intake center and school on 220 acres at American Avenue and Freeway 99.

The project has been divided into three phases, and the first phase includes clearing of the land, construction of a warehouse and building roads. Harris Construction in July was awarded the $32 million contract - $8 million below the county’s expected cost – for the first phase. Harris was not the lowest bidder but was awarded the contract, because of errors in the lowest bid, by Lewis C. Nelson and Sons of Selma, county officials said at the time.

The second phase will include construction of the juvenile housing and other major buildings. That part of the project is expected to go to bid in October, with construction to begin in February.

The last phase will be construction of an on-site wastewater facility with the bid going out in March and Construction to start in late May.

The project is expected to be completed by March 2006.

“We’re on schedule, we’re within budget, and that’s all good news,” said Greg Reinke, the county’s project manager.

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Price called construction of the hall the capstone of his career in Fresno County, saying it has been his goal since his start eight years ago.

The campus is planned to grow over the next 50 years and will include land for mental health offices, group homes and even a Boys & Girls Club, Price said.

He said that he hopes building the new juvenile hall will allow the county to keep all but the most serious juvenile offenders in the county. Now; many are shipped to serve six- to 12-month sentences at the California Youth Authority.

Price said that he’s proud of the planning that has gone into this hall.

For instance, youths will be housed mainly in single cells throughout the hall. At the current site, they’re housed in dormitories or three or more in cells, leading to problems such as fights and sexual abuse. And the current hall lacks adequate classrooms.

The new hall will contain modern, technologically equipped classrooms.

Said Price: “This is a giant leap forward for Fresno County and its philosophy on how we’re going t handle kids in our system.”

Groundbreaking marks new juvenile hall

By Jim Davis September 27, 2003 The Fresno Bee

At the site of the largest capital project ever undertaken by Fresno County, the Board of Supervisors on Friday hailed a new chapter in dealing with juvenile criminals.

The ceremony Friday morning south of Fresno marked the groundbreaking for a$176 million juvenile hall and surrounding campus.

Supervisors told a crowd of about 150 that they hoped the new facility will be innovative and provide and opportunity to turn around youthful offenders.

“It’s a chance to change lives,” Supervisor Judy Case said.

Probation Chief Larry Price said the facility will “save lives and save immeasurable tax dollars in the future, if we run this facility right.”

Price, who runs Juvenile Hall, said the campuslike facility will be a place with room to educate youths and treat their drug and mental problems.

“This facility will not be a place where you lock away kids and throw away the keys,” Price said.

The project is a 480-bed juvenile hall and campus including a juvenile courthouse, intake center and school on 220 acres at American Avenue and Freeway 99.

IV-5 Construction of the site started about four weeks ago, and Harris Construction has cleared acres of grapevines to make way for the facility.

The new facility will replace the decades old and crowded Juvenile Hall at 10th and Ventura streets in Fresno. The old Juvenile Hall, officials say, has so many problems that it makes it an uphill battle to reform children.

The county has raised between $125 million to $130 million to build the new juvenile hall and wants to create a campuslike environment to try to change the lives of youths, County Administrator Bart Bohn said.

The county still needs to come up with the funding for a $30 million juvenile courthouse on the site.

The county is turning over court facilities to the state and wants to negotiate with the state about paying for the cost of the juvenile courts.

But Bohn said the state is negotiating with all 58 counties and the state has set the time frame for only three counties.

“We’ve asked to go early,” Bohn said. “All that we know is that we’re not in the top three.”

On Friday, supervisors, law enforcement officials and dignitaries including former State Sen. Jim Costa, Assembly Member Sarah Reyes and former Sheriff Hal McKinney gathered for the groundbreaking event.

At the ceremony, Sheriff Richard Pierce told the crowd the new facility represents hope.

He said many of his deputies can tell stories of arresting people years ago and now arresting their grandchildren. The new juvenile campus represents the best chance of breaking that cycle, Pierce said.

County schools Superintendent Peter Mehas called the current juvenile hall a dungeon that gives little opportunity to change lives. He echoed supervisors in that he was happy the new facility was being built, but regretted that it’s needed.

“We have mixed emotions about this,” said Mehas, and then added jokingly, “It’s like watching your mother-in-law drive your brand new car over a cliff.”

Fresno County Superior Court presiding Judge Brad Hill praised supervisors for pushing forward with building the facility.

“We’re here because we have a concerned and dedicated Board of Supervisors who saw a tremendous need and did something about it,” Hill said.

IV-6 County reaps debt for campus

By Kerri Ginis January 27, 2004 The Fresno Bee

A thick blanket of fog covered the bull-dozers and construction worker digging trenches and moving dirt last week at the site of Fresno County's new juvenile hall.

Although at times it can be hard to see, the bast filed once filled with grapevines is now paved with roads. Sewer lines and electrical wiring are going in, and crews are drilling the second of two wells.

"It's amazing to see what's going on out there," Chief Probation Officers Larry Price said. "I think Fresno County is going to be very proud of this."

The first phase of construction on the $176 million juvenile hall and surrounding campus started four months ago. With an opening targeted for March 2006, crews are busy laying infrastructure and grading roads on the 220-acre site south of Fresno at American Avenue and Highway 99.

This is the largest capital project ever undertaken by the county. Nearly all of the financing is in place, and the Board of Supervisors recently approved selling bonds to cover the remaining $26 million for construction of all the buildings except the juvenile courthouse.

The count is entering new territory by taking on debt to build the juvenile hall. In the past, the board took a more conservative approach to financing projects, waiting until it had all the money before construction began.

Supervisor Judy Case said selling bonds is like taking out a mortgage on the juvenile hall.

"I think that's reasonable," she said. "We really need this. We have to get out of the [current] juvenile hall."

The board's new philosophy was born of necessity. Without using bonds to cover some of the cost, it could have been years before the county could have afforded such an expensive project, said County Administrative Officer Bart Bohn.

But that doesn't mean the county will be piling on the debt in the future.

"In my view, debt should only be incurred when it's absolutely essential, when it is for vital services," Supervisor Juan Arambula said. "The circumstances would have to be truly exceptional, and I think this is one of those circumstances."

He also points out that the county financed only a small portion of the juvenile hall's total cost. The majority of the project was paid with the county's share of tobacco-settlement funds, a grant from the state Board of Corrections and cash.

"I think there has been a growing movement, particularly in the business community, that the use of long- term debt is reasonable," Arambula said. "Especially because it's needed and the urgency of it."

IV-7 The current juvenile hall at 10th and Ventura streets in Fresno is more than 45 years old and at times is so crowded that children have to sleep on floors or in hallways. The hall has a capacity of 265, but routinely houses more than 300 youth offenders.

As construction continues at the new site, the county expects to put out bids in several weeks for the project's next step. That includes building a 240-bed facility to house juveniles who are going through the court process and awaiting sentencing.

Most of the youths in the detention facility will be there for 30 to 45 days. They will sleep in single cells, which surround and open courtyard.

A hallway will connect the detention facility to the core building, where youth offenders will be processed in or out. The core building also will have administrative offices and mental health services.

Nearby will be a 240-bed commitment facility where juvenile offenders can be sentenced for up to a year. The facility will have four buildings with 60 beds each that will surround a courtyard. A school building will also be located there with 20 classrooms, including some vocational-education classes.

The only building not yet slated for construction is the juvenile courthouse. The county has not financed the $30 million building because it will eventually be turned over to the state, said county analyst Greg Reinke.

A law passed a year and half ago requires all counties to transfer ownership of their courthouses to the state by 2007. County officials are working on an agreement with the state so both governments can share the cost of the new courthouse.

If the courthouse is not built when the juvenile hall opens, the youths will have to be transferred by bus to the juvenile court on 10th and Ventura streets.

"Hopefully, we will get this issue resolved with the state so we only have to transfer for a short period of time," Reinke said.

The new juvenile hall is designed to look more like a high school than a detention facility. Separate buildings interspersed with landscaping and recreational areas will give it more of a campus setting.

It's quite a change from the design of the current juvenile hall, which has long narrow hallways that, Price said, make it look like a "dungeon."

"It's really antiquated, and it was not designed for direct supervision," said Price, who has run the juvenile hall for the past eight years.

The design of the juvenile hall is already drawing nationwide interest. Price said he received a call from a representative with North Carolina's Department of Corrections asking whether officials there can come see Fresno County's new juvenile hall.

"They saw the design on the Internet and said it's the best they've seen," Price said. "I really think we will be using this as a prototype in a lot of places."

The campus is designed to grow over the next 50 years and will include land for group homes, a boot camp and even a Boys & Girls Club.

IV-8 But the immediate goal is for the juvenile hall to be up and running in two years.

"This is a long-term investment in the well-being of Fresno County," Arambula said. "This is something that will benefit all citizens for decades to come."

County's need for new juvenile hall is no reason to cheer

By Bernard A. Stepanek February 5, 2004 The Fresno Bee

On Jan. 27 an article appeared on the front page of the Local Section of The Bee regarding the building of the new Juvenile Hall. The Bee quoted Chief Probation Officer Larry Price as saying, "I think Fresno County is going to be proud of this."

I assume Mr. Price is referring to the architectural design and innovative programs planned for this facility. However, if one considers the big picture, it really is a sad commentary on our community.

The reason I say this is because Fresno County continues to spend enormous amounts of time, effort and money on a certain segment of the population - namely, the criminal or alleged criminal element.

This will never improve the image of Fresno. Is this where we really want to focus our pride?

Concerns raised about juvenile courthouse

By Kerri Ginis April 7, 2004 The Fresno Bee

With the roads paved and the sewer lines placed, construction is expected to begin early next month on the buildings at Fresno County's new juvenile hall campus.

The largest capital project ever undertaken by the county appears to be on track for a March 2006 opening. But one critical component could be missing - a new juvenile courthouse.

County officials still haven't committed to building the $30 million courthouse as part of the 220-acre site south of Fresno at American Avenue and Freeway 99. Officials worry that if they build the courthouse, it will eventually become state property.

So, for now, construction plans are on the back burner. But Chief Probation Officer Larry Price said if the county doesn't build the courthouse, it could cost more money in the future. Without the courthouse, juvenile inmates will have to be bused to the current juvenile court in downtown Fresno at an annual cost of at least $1 million.

Three new buses would need to be purchased, and the constant travel would raise the potential for escapes during the eight-mile one-way trips. Juveniles also would miss a day of school so they could attend court, he said.

"I think from a business point of view, the best thing for Fresno County would be to build it right now," Price said. "It's got to be build eventually, and the longer we wait, the more it's going to cost."

IV-9 Price asked the Board of Supervisors to consider borrowing the $30 million. His suggestion has been met with mixed reactions.

Some supervisors said they're hesitant to take on debt without a guarantee the state won't take possession of the courthouse.

"I think it would be crazy for the county to go into debt on a building that the state could take over," Supervisor Judy Case said. "I think we have more issues to resolve before we move ahead with this."

A law passed 1 1/2 years ago requires all counties to transfer ownership of their courthouses to the state by 2007. But state court officials recently told Fresno County's Presiding Judge Brad Hill they wouldn’t take possession of the juvenile courthouse if the county borrowed the money to build it.

"The state has assured us that it won't take over this facility," said Hill, who met with state court officials several weeks ago on the matter. "If the county wants it to remain solely in its own hands with its name on the title, that would be fine with the state."

But some county officials aren't convinced. "How many of their promises have they kept when it comes to local government? Their word is not very good when it comes to that," Case said.

County officials plan to meet with the state in coming weeks to talk about the transfer of the county's courthouses and plans for the new juvenile courthouse, Deputy County Administrative Officer Jeanette Ishii said.

Earlier this year, the supervisors approved borrowing $26 million for construction of the new juvenile hall buildings. It was the first time the county took on debt to cover part of the cost of a capital project.

Borrowing an additional $30 million is only a small portion of the juvenile hall's total $176 million cost, Price said.

He believes the benefits to building a new courthouse far outweigh the cost. If the courthouse isn't built, the county will have to create holding cells for juveniles waiting at the downtown building for their case to be called. It could turn into an all-day affair, depending on how many court cases are on the calendar. Some juveniles could miss as much as a day of school while waiting in court.

"I'm trying to avoid the transportation issue altogether," Price said. "We're right on the bubble to get this done so it can open when the juvenile hall opens."

Supervisor Juan Arambula said he wants to take a closer look at the costs involved before he commits to building a juvenile courthouse.

"I'm open to the possibility, but I have some additional analysis to do," he said. "I don't think we're in a position to act on this yet."

IV-10 Build it already

April 11, 2004 The Fresno Bee

The latest hurtle in building a courthouse at Fresno County's new juvenile hall campus is one more example of our elected officials creating problems where none exist.

County officials have delayed building the $30 million courthouse at the 220-acre site south of Fresno because they worry it could eventually fall into state hands.

A recent law requires counties to transfer ownership of courthouses to the state by 2007. But state officials have told Fresno County's Presiding Judge Brad Hill they wouldn't take over the juvenile courthouse if the county borrowed the money to build it.

That should solve the problem. But no, County supervisors are playing the victim game, whining about how the state never keeps promises.

All this is very tiring. The county and the state should be able to work it out. If the courthouse is not built, the county will have to pay $1 million a year to bus juveniles to downtown courts.

This is the same county that's about to get an old federal courthouse for almost nothing. A bill is moving through Congress that would hand over the B.F. Sisk Federal Courthouse to the county - of a nominal fee - once the new federal courthouse is completed.

The juvenile courthouse is a no-brainer. We hope someone at the county finally figures that out.

IV-11

Larry R. Price Chief Probation Officer

Cyndie Adame Adult Probation Division Director

EM-AOWP/Domestic Drug Suppression Unit Superior Court Unit Victim Services Violence Probation Services Manager Probation Services Manager Probation Services Manager Probation Services Manager Norm Baird Tom Charnock Joy Thompson Michelle Ramos

Honor Release PC 1000 EM-AOWP Lead Officer Lead Officer Debra Gorham, Advocate Maria Canizales, DPO III Kristen Sifuentes, DPO III Christine Moses, DPO IV Juanita Baize, DPO IV Orron Dougherty, DPO IV Michaelanne Dobrinen, Advocate Pam Hardwick, DPO III Lead Officer Department 96 Elizabeth Frye, Advocate Tim Crecelius, DPO III Tony Lopez, Probation Tech Kristine Ruiz, DPO IV Department 95 Barbara Dodds, Advocate Jesse Quintana, DPO III Trinidad Arreola, Extra Help Court Officer Cliff Downing, DPO IV Gwen Pfost, Advocate Steven Kilby, DPO III Probation Tech Susan Solis, DPO IV Court Officer Tony Villela, Advocate (2)Vacant, DPO (DV) Eddie Rodriguez, Extra Help Investigator Theresa Rothschild, DPO Probation Tech Lorraine Sepeda, DPO IV IV(LOA) Domestic Violence Investigator Investigator Mariell Trauner, Advocate Domestic Violence Debbie White, DPO IV Jesse Montemayor, DPO IV Vicki Aldaco, DPO IV NET Investigator (on loan to DV) Investigator Elder Abuse Lead Officer Jesus Santillan, DPO III Scott Darling, DPO III Dennis Yamada, DPO III Maryann Alvarez, Advocate Martin Sanchez, DPO IV Investigator Investigator VACANT, Extra Help Advocate Todd Rudder, DPO III Cindy Carender-Cummings, DPO III Kayatana Davis, DPO III Refugio Lopez, DPO III Proposition 36 Investigator Investigator Juvenile Leon Hernaosoa, DPO III Kirk Haynes, DPO IV Kathy Boyden, DPO III Faye Parra, Advocate Christopher Maranian, DPO III Lead Officer Domestic Violence Crt. Sophia Doukas, DPO IV Department 2 Dept 11 Jessie Oviedo, Program Tech Timothy Paulson, DPO II VOISE Deborah Garabedian, DPO IV Tami Tabacci, DPO IV Arturo Castro, DPO II Zebedee Fuller, DPO IV Lead Investigator Court Officer Spencer Williams, DPO II Lead Officer Isela Lopez, Extra Help Frederica Jones, DPO IV Irene Quintanar, Probation Tech Melanie Evert, DPO II (.6) Probation Tech Investigator VACANT, Probation Tech .4 (2) Dorrick Minnis, DPO III Investigator Megan Pasqual, DPO III Post Conviction Drug Court Investigator Pete Garcia, DPO III Astrid Apodaca, Probation Tech

Juvenile Drug Court Olga Highley, DPO III Marissa Sosa, Extra Help Probation Tech Deferred Entry Conditional State Institution Diversion Formal Probation of Judgment Sentence Commitments

Treatment Counseling Treatment Counseling Treatment Counseling Supervision Monitoring CYA

PC 1000.12 PC 1000 (Drug Court) Community Service Post Sentencing Drug 90 Day Diagnostics Court PC 1001.20 Adult Offender Work CRC Program Domestic Violence Drug Court Prison Work Furlough / Drug Testing Electronic Monitoring Inpatient Drug Local Jail Commitment Treatment

Counseling

Adult Offender Work Program Note: Sanctions shown are (from left to right) least restrictive to most serious. Restitution

Work Furlough / Electronic Monitoring

Local Jail Commitment

V-2

Honor Release is a program utilized by the Fresno County Superior Courts to gather information in determining an unsentenced inmate’s suitability for release on his/her “own recognizance” and/or bail reduction. This is accomplished by investigating the severity of the pending charges, their stability in the community, the probability of appearing at future court hearings, all while evaluating the protection of the community.

Honor Release Statistics 7/01/2003 to 6/30/2004 Referrals Received 714 Deny Honor Release Recommendation 396 Honor Release Recommendation 62 Bail Reduction Recommendation 72 No Recommendation (Not In-Custody when Report Submitted) 184

V-3

The Deferred Entry of Judgment Adult Drug Program places defendants, who are appropriate candidates, on a minimum of 18 months supervision pursuant to PC 1000. The program includes drug testing, Drug Court reviews, and participation in approved treatment programs. Probation Officers supervising this diversion program provide orientations to defendants, case management and assistance to the Court in residential treatment placements and program graduation ceremonies. These officers also supervise the PC 1001.20 cases.

PC 1001.20, Developmentally Disabled Diversion, deals with a person who has been evaluated by a regional center for the developmentally disabled and who is determined to be developmentally disabled. If this person is charged with an offense that is a misdemeanor or reduced to a misdemeanor, he/she may be eligible for diversion-related treatment and habilitation under this statute.

Deferred Entry of Judgement Drug Court Statistics Statistics as of 6/30/2004 DEJ Active Cases 743 DEJ Bench Warrant Cases 1,238 Total on DEJ as of June 30, 2004 1,981

V-4

Adult Offender Work Program places defendants who are sentenced to 90 days in jail or less on work assignments with participating community and governmental agencies in lieu of jail confinement. Officers are responsible for the evaluation of offenders to determine their suitability for this program, supervising offenders with respect to compliance with program rules and regulations, and the forwarding of commitment orders to the County Jail when offenders do not comply.

Adult Offender Work Program Statistics 7/01/2003 to 6/30/2004 Offenders Referred 5,136 Offenders Accepted 3,869 Offenders Denied 1,267

Days Scheduled 41,653 Days Missed 5,560 Days Completed 36,093

AOWP Fees Collected $721,514.20

V-5

The Work Furlough/Electronic Monitoring Program is an alternative to serving time in the county jail for those persons who are sentenced to more than 30 days in custody and referred to the program by any of the local courts. The members of the unit determine the eligibility and suitability of those persons referred to Work Furlough/Electronic Monitoring and refer acceptable persons to an outside agency for the actual installation and monitoring of the electronic monitoring equipment. The Work Furlough/Electronic Monitoring unit sets up the parameters and limitations to which the person must adhere in order to be in compliance with the program.

Work Furlough/Electronic Monitoring Statistics 7/01/2003 to 6/30/2004 Placed on Work Furlough/EM during the year 223

Completed Work Furlough/EM during the year 222 Removed from Work Furlough/EM for violation 51

Total on Work Furlough/EM as of June 30, 2004 78

V-6

Tom Charnock, Probation Services Manager, in charge of the Adult Court Services Unit. When all positions are filled, the unit consists of 15 Deputy Probation Officers covering investigations, three Deputy Probation Officers covering the Court, and one Probation Technician.

In the Adult Court Services Unit, referrals are received after a finding or plea of guilty on felony offenses. The comprehensive written pre-sentence report with recommendations includes prosecution and defense attorney contacts, defendant interviews, contact with law enforcement agencies and with victims of violent crimes. In addition, reports are prepared assessing eligibility for Proposition 36 (Probation/drug treatments).

Restitution and court ordered conditions of probation are evaluated for inclusion in the sentencing recommendations to the Superior Court.

Adult Investigations Statistics 7/1/2003 – 6/30/2004 With Chart Representing Past Five Fiscal Years Investigations and Reports 6,313 Supplemental and Special Reports 1,419

Supplemental and Special Reports Investigations and Reports 1,419 2003/04 6,313

1,451 2002/03 6,202

1,579 2001/02 6,135

1,115 2000/01 5,015

1,351 1999/00 5,238

V-7 Adult Probation Services

Adult Field Services

Gordon Dahlberg Probation Services Manager, in charge of the Adult Field Services Unit which includes the adult component of “HEAT.” The Adult Field Services Unit consists of twelve Deputy Probation Officers, (one assigned as a report specialist) four Probation Technicians, and currently one volunteer.

Adult Field Services is an armed unit that supervises adults placed on probation by the Courts. The unit is responsible for numerous functions in order to enforce compliance with court-ordered probation conditions. These functions include; acting as liaisons between the Court and treatment programs, drug and alcohol testing, investigation of requests for courtesy supervision, probation searches, seizing contraband and weapons, providing written and oral reports to the courts, conducting special field operations, and arresting probation violators.

The responsibilities for the unit’s 11 remaining Probation Officers are divided up as follows:

Specialized caseloads:

Three caseloads consisting of Sex offenders, Child/Senior Abusers, averaging 122 offenders each.

One caseload assigned to the supervision of gang members, currently at 293 cases, in cooperation and coordination with the Help Eliminate Auto Theft Team (H.E.A.T.)

One caseload assigned to supervise gang members, currently at 218 cases, in cooperation and coordination with the Multi-Agency Gang enforcement consortium (M.A.G.E.C.).

One caseload of Young Adults (ages 18-20.5), currently at 111 cases. The intent is to provide intensive supervision to young adults, in several identified areas of need.

All remaining cases (6,508, including warrant cases) are banked cases and are divided among the remaining five probation officers, averaging approximately 1,302 cases each.

There are approximately 817 adults (including warrant cases) currently placed on misdemeanor probation assigned to the Adult Field Services Unit. Due to loss of personnel, the unit does not have an officer assigned to provide supervision services for this caseload. On a rotational basis, officers in the unit will respond to victim inquiries and provide other emergency response services regarding this caseload.

Adult Field Services Caseload Totals as of 6/30/2004 Felony Probation Caseload 4,622 Misdemeanor Probation Caseload 598 Probationers on Bench Warrant Status 2,105 Total Adult Field Services cases under Supervision as of 6/30/2004 7,325

V-8

Norm Baird, Probation Services Manager, in charge of the Drug Suppression Unit, consisting of the Deferred Entry of Judgment Drug Court (PC 1000), Post Conviction Drug Court (PCDC), The Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act of 2000 (Prop. 36), Narcotics Enforcement Team (NET), Juvenile Drug Court (JDC) and PC 1001.20. All drug testing for the Adult Division of the Probation Department is conducted at the office of the Drug Suppression Unit. When all positions are filled, the Drug Suppression Unit consists of eleven Deputy Probation Officers, six Probation Technicians and three extra-help Probation Technicians.

Post Conviction Drug Court

The Post Conviction Drug Court (PCDC) is a grant-funded program designed to provide supervision and treatment for a maximum of 150 participants who are convicted of felony drug charges. The Court places these offenders on three years’ formal felony probation to include standard conditions of probation including participation in the PCDC program. Supervision, drug testing, treatment, and regular Court reviews encompass this 18-month drug court program. The Deputy Probation Officer and Probation Technicians provide the supervision, necessary referrals, as well as conduct drug testing and work closely with the treatment provider to ensure the Court receives accurate information relating to the progress of the participants. They ensure accurate information is collected on all participants for statistical reporting. Since all of the participants are on formal felony probation, they are also subject to all other terms and conditions of probation as ordered by the Court. The Deputy Probation Officer prepares presentence investigation reports and recommendations to the Court as well as provides court officer duties each week. The Deputy Probation Officer and Probation Technicians work in collaboration with the various agencies involved with the clients. Formal graduations are conducted to publicly acknowledge the participants’ achievements in completing the program.

Post Conviction Drug Court Caseload Totals as of 6/30/2004 Active PCDC Felony Probationers 89 PCDC Probationers on Warrant Status 33 Total under Supervision as of June 30, 2004* 122

*Includes Post Graduate Bank Cases

V-9

Substance Abuse & Crime Prevention Act of 2000 (Proposition 36)

With the passage of Proposition 36 by California voters on November 7, 2000, the Fresno County Probation Department worked in a collaborative effort with various agencies to ensure implementation of the program by July 1, 2001, the date the initiative took effect. This proposition enacted statutes that established funding mechanisms for the treatment of persons with substance abuse problems.

Three statutes were added to the California Penal Code as a result of the passage of Proposition 36. These statutes mandate probation and drug treatment for defendants convicted of a “nonviolent drug possession offense.” It also established procedures for violations of probation and parole in cases involving nonviolent drug possession offenses. The purpose and intent of Proposition 36 is to divert nonviolent drug offenders from incarceration into community-based treatment programs.

Five Deputy Probation Officers and three Probation Technicians supervise these individuals. Approximately 2,000 probationers have been sentenced under Prop. 36. Both felons and misdemeanants are placed on formal probation pursuant to Penal Code Section 1210.1 and after being assessed, are referred to the appropriate level of substance abuse treatment. Probation staff monitor their compliance within the terms and conditions of probation ordered by the court and make every effort to ensure defendants enter substance abuse treatment. The Deputy Probation Officers cover Court officer duties and ensure accurate data is collected for statistical reporting. Defendants who violate their conditions of probation are brought before the Court and are dealt with pursuant to the statute.

Proposition 36 Caseload Totals as of 6/30/2004 Prop 36 Misdemeanor Probationers 308 Prop 36 Felony Probationers 1,984 Prop 36 Probationers on Bench Warrant Status 404 Total under Supervision as of June 30, 2004 2,696

V-10

Domestic Violence

Michelle Ramos, Probation Services Manager, in charge of the Domestic Violence Unit and Adult Offender Work Program (AOWP) and Work Furlough Unit. When all positions are filled, the Domestic Violence Unit consists of seven Deputy Probation Officers, When all positions are filled, the AOWP and Work Furlough Unit consists of six Deputy Probation Officers. In addition, Michelle supervises one Deputy Probation Officer who oversees the Honor Release Program.

As of January 1, 1996, all defendants found guilty of an act of Domestic Violence are placed on formal probation. Probation Officers assigned to this unit evaluate and supervise defendants who have been placed on three to five year’s formal probation.

Felony Cases The felony Domestic Violence Unit consists of four tiers of supervision: intensive, moderate and bank. There are two Deputy Probation Officers assigned to each level of supervision. Officers assigned to a felony domestic violence caseload are armed. The intensive supervision caseload is funded through a State grant and is referred to as VOISE (Violent Offender Intensive Supervision Endeavor). The maximum number of cases per officer in the VOISE program is set at 30 and weekly contact with the probationer is required. The moderate supervision caseloads have a maximum of 100 cases per officer, which allows for monthly contact with each defendant. Officers supervising the maximum or moderate caseloads are routinely in the field making contacts with probationers to ensure probation compliance. The unit PSM, who determines appropriate level of supervision given the severity of the offense, prior criminal history, and likelihood of recidivism, reviews all new felony cases. The bank officers supervise all other felony domestic violence cases.

The unit is responsible for numerous functions to enforce compliance with the court ordered probation conditions. Such functions include: reviewing probation instructions with probationers, acting as liaisons between the court and rehabilitation programs, probation searches, seizing contraband and weapons, drug and alcohol testing, providing written and oral reports to the courts, and arresting probation violators. In addition, officers complete a lethality assessment on every new probationer and attempt to notify victims of the terms and conditions of the probationer’s release.

Misdemeanor Cases All misdemeanor cases are banked into a single caseload, which averages 3000 offenders. Services are minimal to both the offender and the courts.

Evaluating Batterer Intervention Programs The California State Legislature designated sole authority to County Probation Departments to approve, deny, suspend or revoke batterer program certification and renewal. The Domestic Violence Unit annually reviews applications for certification. In addition staff frequently monitor approved programs to ensure compliance with PC 1203.097 & 1203.098.

V-11 Domestic Violence Caseload Totals of 6/30/2004 VOISE Probation Cases (Intensive Supervision) 54 Felony Probation Cases 832 Misdemeanor Probation Cases 1,427 Probationers on Bench Warrant Status (felony & misd.) 1,358 Total Domestic Violence Cases under Supervision as of 6/30/2004 3,671

Total Probation Supervision Caseloads Felony Probation Cases 7,522 Misdemeanor Probation Cases 2,331 Warrants 3,906 Total Cases under Probation Supervision as of 6/30/2004 13,759

Felony Probation Caseload Misdemeanor Probation Caseload Warrants

7,522 2003/04 2,331 3,906 7,619 2002/03 2,590 3,737 8,382 2001/02 3,283 3,225 8,998 2000/01 4,140

8,469 1999/00 3,897

V-12

The Narcotics Enforcement Team (NET) is comprised of one Probation Officer, Sheriff’s Detectives and staff members from the District Attorney’s Office. This state, grant-funded collaboration has been in existence for over ten years and involves investigations, surveillance, search warrants, arrests and prosecution of drug offenders.

The Deputy Probation Officer is fully integrated into the daily operations of the NET program. The officer is assigned to the Sheriff’s Department where they target the trafficking, manufacturing and cultivation of narcotics. As required by the grant, the officer has no active probation caseload, but remains in constant contact with field Probation staff to ensure effective interaction with the Department. The officer is trained to investigate and participate in undercover buys, raids of methamphetamine laboratories and marijuana groves as well as conduct probation searches and other specific assignments. The project conviction rate of 97% is indicative of the caliber of work resulting from this multi-agency collaboration.

Since all of the staff assigned to the NET project have strong backgrounds in surveillance and monitoring individuals, they also are involved in various investigations that are of the highest priority and greatest secrecy. This project continues to be a tool in the Probation Department’s effort to provide an aggressive response to drug users and drug traffic within our county

V-13

Joy Thompson, Probation Services Manager, is in charge of the Victim/Witness Assistance Center. When all positions are filled, the Victim/Witness Unit consists of 10 Victim Advocates, one Program Technician and one Office Assistant.

The Victim/Witness Program was established in 1975 to provide direct services to victims of violent crime. This program, mandated by the California Penal Code, provides a variety of mandatory and optional services to crime victims, which include crisis intervention, emergency assistance, Victim Impact Statements, court support and referrals to counseling and other services. Of major importance is aiding victims in filing claims for reimbursement of expenses as a result of injury or death during a crime.

The Victim/Witness Program also offers a safe waiting area for victims/witnesses awaiting court hearings. The staff of Victim Services continues to aid victims and witnesses in overcoming the effects of crime and empowers them to understand and participate in the criminal justice system. As noted in the statistics below, Victim Services has been effective in reaching and serving a large number of victims every year.

The Program’s Victim Advocates provide a personal touch and personalized assistance to victims that they don’t receive anywhere else within the system. The Advocates are dedicated to seeing to it that, to the degree possible, all of the victim’s needs are met. As a result of the Advocates’ efforts, victims of violent crime in Fresno County are reimbursed more than $1 million by California’s Victims of Crime Program each year.

Victim/Witness Statistics 7/01/2003 to 6/30/2004 With Chart Representing Past Five Fiscal Years New Victims 5,097 State Board of Control Claims Filed 1,101 Crisis Intervention 4,425 Court Assistance 3,177 Victim Impact Statements Filed 599 Emergency Assistance 369 Public Presentations Made 39

03/04 5,097

02/03 5,985

01/02 6,382

00/01 6,773

99/00 5,896

V-14

The Elder Abuse Prevention component, a grant funded program, was added to the Victim Services Unit in October 2000. The purpose of the program is to provide the same 11 mandatory and 14 optional services that the Victim/Witness Assistance Center provides, but to a very specifically defined, targeted group of victims who are either: 65 years of age or older; or, a dependant adult between the ages of 18 and 64, whether or not they are permanently disabled. Elder abuse is defined in Penal Code Section 368, and the four major categories of elder abuse are (1) physical, (2) emotional, (3) psychological, and (4) financial.

The Elder Abuse Program, whose staff is located in the Senior Resource Center in central Fresno, consists of our two Victim Advocates, working as a team in conjunction with two Fresno Police Department detectives, one Fresno Sheriff’s Department deputy, Adult Protective Services staff, one Deputy District Attorney and Attorney General’s Office staff. By having all of this staff working together as a team under one roof, vertically investigating and prosecuting each elder abuse case as one unit, traditional hurdles to cooperation and “turf” issues among agencies are overcome, and victims are better served. In fact, the “Fresno model” is so innovative and successful, that it has become a model both statewide and nationally as to how an Elder Abuse program should be designed.

Outreach into the elder community is a high priority for the two Victim Advocates, who last year alone conducted 25 presentations to potential elder victims, as well as 7 awareness training sessions to direct service providers of elder abuse. During that same time, they worked with 143 new victims of elder abuse, provided 113 referrals to other agencies serving elder abuse victims, and participated in 24 meetings (i.e. Elder Abuse Triad, Elder Abuse Roundtable) with the other agencies involved in the Elder Abuse Program. They also submitted or assisted elder victims in submitting 109 claims to the state Victims of Crime Program.

V-15

Larry R. Price Chief Probation Officer

Linda Penner (1) Sharon Hurley (1) Secretary IV- Juvenile Probation Division Director Confidential

Court Services Supervision Services Campus/Supervision Placement Probation Services Manager Probation Services Manager Probation Services Manager Probation Services Manager Rick Hosoda Gordon Dahlberg Rosalinda Acosta Leslie Knobel

Court Investigations Unit Intake Adult Supervision Juvenile Supervision Campus Supervision Placement Officers Manuel Silva, DPO IV Carolyn Zamora, DPO IV Marty Plenert, DPO IV Phil Fernandez, DPO IV Nancy Dominguez, DPO IV Gilbert Sanchez, DPO IV Lead Officer Lead Officer Lead Officer Joe Ortiz, DPO IV Jan Benbrook, DPO IV Karen Roach, DPO IV Jeannie Starks, DPO IV Janice Kulekjian, DPO IV Manuel Salazar, DPO IV Ray Martinez, DPO IV Lauren Martinez, DPO IV Vacant, DPO IV Lead Officer Hope Sosa, DPO IV Lead Officer Susan Allen, DPO III Tony Graves, DPO IV RayAnn Cruz, DPO III Leanne Boyer, DPO IV Daniel Nunez, DPO III Victor Alcazar, DPO IV Phil Fuentez, DPO III Barbara Holguin, DPO IV Dora Jones, DPO III Lead Officer Jenny Ricardo, DPO IV David Ruiz, DPO IV Phyllis Mayer, DPO IV Lilo Diaz, DPO III Patricia Aranas, DPOIII Angie Mendez, DPO III David Jimenez, DPO IV Sandra Dupree, DPO III Kelly Smith, DPO IV Brad Rodriguez, DPO III Aimee Leyva, DPO III Roxanne Caldera, DPO III Benitta Molina, DPO III Leonard Reinhart, DPO III Rick Tarazon, DPO III Leonard Amezola, DPO III Bea Sanchez, DPO IV Melissa Madsen, DPO III Jill Reynolds, DPO III Carlos Gonzalez, DPO II Vince Ariz, DPO III Ryan Smith, DPO III Vacant, DPO III Oscar Valadez, DPO I Stephanie Thomas, DPO III Laura Roltgen, DPO III Lori Willits, DPO III Bob Muller, EX DPO I Danny Munoz, DPO III Barbara Vogan, DPO III Graffiti Abatement Project Octavio Jauregui, DPO III Vacant, DPO III John Reyes, DPO III Vince Davis, DPO IV Maria Walton, DPO III Maria Knizevski, Teddi Robinson, JCO II Court Officer "A" Probation Technician K-Sixth Grade Kathleen Hernandez, DPO III Christy Sanchez, Olga Garcia, DPO III Court Officer "A" Probation Technician Juan Flores, DPO III Lillia Cervantes, CSWP/THO Court Officer "B" Probation Technician Art Sanchez, Adm IV Craig Downing, DPO IV Jose Manjarrez, Carol Byers, JCO II Court Officer "C" Probation Technician Ed Martinez, JCO II Prevention/Early Prevention/Early Early Release Intervention Intervention Intake/Law Enforcement Home Detention Non-Law Enforcement Law Enforcement Referrals Pre-Disposition Referrals Referrals

Multi-Disciplinary Assessment Graffiti Abatement (GAP) Reprimand & Release Refer to DA Supervised Home Team (MDAT) Youth Court Refer to Comm. Based for Petition Detention (SHD) Keep Kids In School (KKIS) Programming Electronic Monitoring (PRE-EM) K-6 Program Community Service Work Program (CSWP) STOP Youth Challenge Community Refer to Traffic Hearing Project (YCCP) Officer Refer to Informal Probation

Note: Sanctions shown are (from left to right) least restrictive to most serious.

Deferred Entry of Juvenile Restorative Day Reporting Out-of-Home Probation Supervision Judgment (DEJ) Drug Court Justice Center Placement

Informal Probation Substance Abuse Pre-Placement Community Service Treatment Services Work Program (CSWP) Mental Health Foster Home Treatment Return to Custody Group Home Electronic Monitoring (EM) Specialized Caseloads Community Schools Substance Abuse Treatment Mental Health Counseling

Juvenile Hall C.Y.A. Unfit Juvenile Commitment Boot Camp Delta Program Commitment Adult Court Programs

Substance Abuse Aftercare Aftercare Level 1 - 7 Housing at Unit (SAU) Forward Bound Electronic Monitoring Juvenile Hall Academy Girls Treatment Return to Custody Program Electronic Monitoring Forward Bound Pre-Adolescent Return to Custody Academy Program (PRE-AD) Community Schools ATC Commitment

The use of a custodial commitment option may be utilized at any point in the Continuum, post disposition. The determination is made based upon a number of factors including, but not limited to, the offense, school adjustment, home behavior, etc.

Rick Hosoda, Probation Services Manager, in charge of Juvenile Intake. The “Juvenile Intake Unit” consists of five full-time Deputy Probation Officers.

Juvenile Intake is a referral source for law enforcement on criminal and local ordinance violations and encompasses both cases cited non-custody and those processed as in-custody through Juvenile Hall. Serious cases are referred to the District Attorney for the filing of a petition (charges) pursuant to existing law and department policy. All other law violations are disposed of through release and reprimand, referral to Community Service Work Program, Graffiti Abatement, or placement on Informal Probation.

Juvenile Intake Referrals 7/01/2003 – 6/30/2004 Arrest Reports (PC836 and Warrant Arrests processed through Juvenile Hall) 4,722 Citation Reports (Cited and released in the field) 6,728 Total Referrals 11,450

Juvenile Intake Referral Disposition 7/01/2003 – 6/30/2004 Original Petitions 2,359 Subsequent Petitions (Minor on Probation at time of new petition) 772 601 Petitions 0 778 Petitions 10 VOP – Bench Warrant Requested 321 VOP Petitions 666 Total Petitions Filed 4,128 Returned to Court on Prior Petition 570 Placed on WI 654 Informal Probation 593 Placed on Diversion (DEJ, YAB, Youth Court) 198 Referred to the District Attorney and Pending Disposition 11 Other Dispositions** 5,309 ** Other Dispositions consist of reprimand and release with or without community service, etc., no charges filed by either Probation or the District Attorney, dismissed in the interest of justice by Probation or the District Attorney, transferred to another county, unable to locate minor, etc.

VI-3

Rick Hosoda, Probation Services Manager, in charge of the Juvenile Court Services Unit, which covers Juvenile Court Investigations and Court Representation. The unit consists of thirteen Deputy Probation Officer positions.

Juvenile Investigations is a mandated service provided to the Juvenile Court. After adjudication of a petition filed by the District Attorney, an in-depth social study is completed which includes recommendations to the Court for disposition purposes. This Unit also provides the Court with written information and recommendations for record sealing and Court Officers in each of the Juvenile Court delinquency departments.

Juvenile Investigation Statistics 7/1/2003 – 6/30/2004 With Chart Representing Past Five Fiscal Years Full Probation Officer’s Reports 760 Misdemeanor Reports 1,069 Addendum Reports 190 Fitness Reports (Adult Court Certifications) 10 Requests for Record Sealing Reports 86 Deferred Entry of Judgement Reports 143 Restorative Justice Reports 38 VOP Reviews 256 Periodic Reviews (Prepared by Placement Unit) 740 Pre-Placement Reviews (Prepared by Placement Unit) 335 Total Investigative Reports 3,627

Total Investigative Reports

2003/04 3,627

2002/03 3,653

2001/02 3,193

2000/01 3,638

1999/00 3,962

VI-4

The Juvenile Drug Court is a grant-funded program consisting of the Juvenile Drug Court Judge, Deputy Probation Officer, Probation Technician, Deputy District Attorney, Defense Attorney, Licensed Mental Health Clinician, Treatment Provider and the Fresno Unified School District representative. A team approach aimed at providing juvenile participants with the tools necessary to lead a drug and crime-free lifestyle is used. The program length is nine months and consists of substance abuse treatment, intense supervision, drug testing, and Court reviews. The program is designed to work with juveniles who have either pre-disposition or post-disposition status.

Upon order by the Judge, an initial drug assessment is arranged by the Deputy Probation Officer and completed by a substance abuse specialist. If accepted into the program, the Deputy Probation Officer meets with the minor two times per week for drug testing. The Deputy Probation Officer also meets with the minor at his or her home and/or school. Probation monitors the minor’s attendance in drug counseling, NA/AA meetings and school. Court reviews are held every other week for the minors, where the Judge reviews the progress or lack of progress. Prior to the hearing, the Deputy Probation Officer and Probation Technician meet with the involved agencies and the Judge to discuss the minor’s progress in the program. Positive reinforcements and/or court-ordered sanctions are used to encourage compliance with the program. At the end of nine months, if the minor has successfully fulfilled the terms of the contract (determined by a points system), he/she will graduate.

The goal of the program is to divert minors whose primary issues are substance abuse from deeper involvement in the criminal justice system, if possible. The program holds periodic graduation ceremonies to celebrate those who have successfully completed the program.

VI-5

Juvenile Traffic Court hears and disposes of all cases wherein a minor, under the age of 18 years, is charged with a violation of the Vehicle Code not declared to be a felony, any violation of an ordinance of a city, county, or local agency relating to traffic, any violation of the Fish and Game Code not declared to be a felony, and certain violations of the Harbors and Navigation Code, Streets and Highways Code, Public Utilities Code, Penal Code, Business and Professions Code, Public Resources Code, and any infraction.

The Traffic Hearing Officer, in lieu of imposing a fine for the referred violation, has the option of allowing the minor to select and attend a court sanctioned educational or preventive program. The successful completion of the selected program by the minor will result in a dismissal of the Court referral.

VI-6

Restorative Justice is a different way of thinking about crime and a response to it. It focuses on the harm caused by crime, repairing the harm done to victims, and requires offenders to take responsibility for their actions and for the harm they have caused. It seeks redress for victims, recompense by offenders, and reintegration of both within the community.

A pilot program of Restorative Justice, utilizing the Community Justice Conference process, was initiated on March 10, 1997, following numerous meetings between the Juvenile Court, Public Defender's Office, the District Attorney's Office, the Probation Department, and V.O.R.P. The Program focuses on the not- in-custody, felony, non-violent offender that has been identified during the early phase of the court process.

Following an admission to the charge(s), the Court will calendar the disposition hearing 75 days out, to allow V.O.R.P to make the necessary arrangements for the Community Justice Conference. At the conclusion of the conference, a contract or agreement is signed by all in attendance and this agreement is attached and made a part of the disposition report. The Restorative Justice agreement is incorporated into the terms and conditions of probation.

From July 1, 2003, to June 30, 2004, 38 cases were referred to the Restorative Justice process.

This process has assisted in providing another important tool to help the victims receive restitution. The attempt to effectively mediate has held offenders accountable to recognize harm, repair damages as much as possible and reintegrates the community and offender, with the focus on the victim.

VI-7

Supervision of minors on diversion, informal probation, and formal probation is divided among three Probation Services Managers and their staff. The managers are shown below with information on the areas that they cover.

Leslie Knobel, Probation Services Manager, in charge of the Placement Unit and Juvenile Supervision. When all positions are filled, the Placement Unit consists of fifteen Deputy Probation Officers, including two officers assigned to the Youth Accountability Board and one assigned to the Graffiti Abatement Project. Juvenile Supervision consists of eight officers supervising minors in rural Fresno County, MAGEC, HEAT, Kerman Unified School District, and a Juvenile Sex Offender caseload.

Rosalinda Acosta, Probation Services Manager, in charge of the Campus Supervision Units. The unit consists of 12 officers covering the metro Fresno area and 4 officers covering the rural areas.

Juvenile Supervision is provided for minors and wards to ensure accountability and compliance with Juvenile Court orders or W&I Code Section 654 (Informal Probation) sanctions. The primary goal of supervision is protection of the community. Supervision of minors incorporates both community and office contacts.

Statistics as of 6/30/2004 With Chart Representing Past Five Fiscal Years Formal Probation Caseload (Includes minors currently in Commitment Programs and in Placement) 2,387 Informal Probation Caseload 225 Diversion (YAB, Drug Court, Youth Court) 192 Total Supervision Caseload 2,804

VI-8

Supervision Caseloads

2003/04 2,804

2002/03 3,133 2001/02 2,860

2000/01 2,591

1999/00 2,781

Statistics as of 6/30/2004

Ashjian Treatment Center Commitments (Juvenile Hall) 91

Bank (No Direct Supervision) 343

Campus Supervision (Fresno and Clovis Unified Schools) 729

Community School 81

Day Reporting Center 78

East County 180

Elkhorn Correctional Facility (In custody) 195

Elkhorn Aftercare 206

Placement Supervision 326 Special Programs (Targeted Truancy, Youth Accountability Program, Juvenile Drug Court) 37

Special Supervision (Gang, Auto Theft, etc.) 60

Warrant Status 308

West County 170

Total Supervision Caseload 2,804

VI-9

The Deputy Probation Officers assigned to the Police/Probation Teams work with the Fresno Unified and Central Unified School districts and the Fresno Police Department in maintaining school safety, monitoring student attendance, and supervising probationers. They work in developing a spectrum of intervention and prevention services. Further, they serve as a liaison between the school and courts. Their success is reflected in the decrease of criminal activity on school campuses and achieved due to the excellent working relationship between all agencies in reporting such activity.

VI-10

The Juvenile Placement Unit places minors removed from the custody of their parents by Juvenile Court order. Based on individual level of care needed, minors are placed in group homes, foster homes or other appropriate out-of-home placements. Some wards are returned to the custody of the parents after successful intervention but, if there is no parent available for return, a plan for emancipation is developed. All wards are supervised in placement by assigned Deputy Probation Officers and are seen on a monthly basis. This unit also operates a pre-placement supervision program (sometimes in conjunction with Electronic Monitoring) in an effort to strengthen/stabilize the ward's home environment to negate the need for out-of-home placement.

In another prevention effort, a Deputy Probation Officer is assigned to work with the Department of Children and Family Services Intensive Services Treatment Team in an attempt to keep WIC 300 dependent children from becoming WIC 602 delinquent wards. Officers in the Placement Unit conduct annual on-site evaluations of group home placement providers and monthly warrant sweep operations. In addition, “The Group Home Advisory Committee,” consisting of representatives from all Group Homes, meets quarterly at the Probation Department to discuss issues, concerns, and best practices for providing the most effective treatment for minors in their homes.

Placement Unit Statistics as of 6/30/2004 Pending Placement 17 Pre-Placement/Furlough 14 Furloughed from a Group Home 18 Residing in Foster/Group Home 172 Pending Court/AWOL 14 Bench Warrant Issued 33 Total Placement Cases 268

VI-11

On December 1, 1997, Fresno County saw the implementation of a Multi-Agency Gang Enforcement Consortium (M.A.G.E.C.). M.A.G.E.C. was developed under a Memorandum of Understanding, which was comprised of virtually every law enforcement organization from the federal, state, and local levels, that operates in Fresno County. Currently, the Fresno County Probation Department has one armed Juvenile Probation Officer assigned to M.A.G.E.C. M.A.G.E.C.’s mission is to provide a cooperative effort among law enforcement agencies to eradicate criminal activity of street gangs within Fresno County. M.A.G.E.C. utilizes strategies which include criminal gang intelligence investigations, supervision of criminal gang offenders on probation and parole, suppression of criminal activity within a target area of disruptive street gangs, and aggressive criminal prosecution.

VI-12

Post Disposition Electronic Monitoring is a court-ordered house arrest program for wards of the Juvenile Court. This program is utilized by the Juvenile Court as an alternative to incarceration at Juvenile Hall. Minors on Post Disposition Electronic Monitoring are supervised by Probation Officers and these minors are confined to their residence except for school attendance, medical/counseling appointments, court appearances, or times excused by the Probation Officer. The Post Electronic Monitoring Program is also utilized as a portion of the Elkhorn Aftercare Program and the first 30 days of a Day Reporting Center commitment.

Post EM Statistics 7/01/2003 – 6/30/2004 Total Minors Placed on Post EM 1,072 Males placed on Post EM 873 Females placed on Post EM 199

Total Successful Completions 864 Males successful completions 705 Females successful completions 159

Total Unsuccessful Removals 245 Male unsuccessful removals 195 Female unsuccessful removals 50

Total Minors on Post EM as of 6/30/2004 180 Males 152 Females 28

VI-13

The Day Reporting Center is a community-based program, which is multi-disciplinary in nature. It is located on the Teilman School Campus. Day Reporting Center is an alternative to incarceration, even though it does incorporate an initial 30 days on the Electronic Monitor. Components of the Day Reporting Center program include the following: ¾ Education ¾ Mental Health Services ¾ Substance Abuse Treatment ¾ Electronic Monitoring ¾ Intensive Supervision/Case Management

Minors, male or female aged 14-17, are eligible for the program. The program contains an education component and a treatment component. The program offers standard mental health and substance abuse treatment options.

Minors being considered for the Day Reporting Center should be experiencing two or more of the following risk factors: ¾ Family Dysfunction ¾ School Problems ¾ Substance Abuse ¾ Escalating Delinquency Patterns ¾ Mental Health Issues

Once a minor is accepted for the Day Reporting Center program, an assessment team, which is comprised of Probation, School, Substance Abuse, and Mental Health staff, prepares an individual case assessment from which they will identify the minor’s needs and develop a treatment plan.

Day Reporting Center Statistics 7/01/2003 – 6/30/2004 Minor’s admitted to the Day Reporting Center during the fiscal year 200

Minor’s removed from the Day Reporting Center during the fiscal year 260 Successful 43 Unsuccessful (majority from violations of Probation) 217

Total Participating in Day Reporting Center as of 6/30/2004 81 Total Day Reporting Minors on Bench Warrant Status as of 6/30/2004 18

VI-14

Juveniles attending Community School have an assigned Probation Officer, who is to monitor and ensure compliance with the Court orders.

Community School provides educational programming for Probation referred students. This may be due to expulsion or not attending any form of educational program. The small, self-contained and/or departmental classrooms are made available to 19 students between the ages of 12 and 18 years old, functioning at various academic levels. An Individualized Learning Plan is developed for each student. The Community School Program also offers an Anger Management and a Substance Abuse Educational component to address social issues. Other components include an Independent Study Program, and a Work Experience Educational Program. Various agencies within the community contribute to the Community School Program and its students.

A student assigned in Community School may be considered for reentry into the mainstream school after having completed at least one semester of assigned schoolwork and appropriate school behavior. A successful student will either return to a regular school program; receive a diploma from the Fresno County Community Schools (200 credits); pass the GED/proficiency examination; enroll into a vocational program, or obtain full time job placement.

In addition, as a component of the Substance Abuse Unit (SAU) Aftercare program minors are required to attend the Ashjian Community School site upon their release from custody. While attending Community School the Aftercare minors are expected to attend school and SAU group sessions as directed. The classroom instructor contacts SAU staff and Probation regarding attendance and/or discipline issues. Communication between the instructor, SAU staff and Probation reinforces the rules of the SAU program and Probation. Through this multiple agency approach, the minor is assisted in successfully completing all requirements.

VI-15

The K.K.I.S. program is a combined effort of the Fresno Unified School District, Fresno County Superior Court, Comprehensive Youth Services, the Fresno County Probation Department, and the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office and has been operating since 1998. The purpose was to develop a multi-agency approach in providing intervention/diversion services to at-risk truant youths and their families. The program also includes an accountability component, which includes SARB hearings, Probation and District Attorney sanctions, and Court hearings.

The objective is to assist identified elementary and middle school students and divert them from truancy and at-risk behaviors. Current statistics show that the truancy rate is significantly down and positive behavior is up at all of the participating schools.

The K-6 (Kindergarten – Sixth Grade) Program currently operates at eighteen (18) different schools located in six different school districts. The purpose of the program is to identify children at risk of being removed from school or who have displayed inappropriate behavior on the campus. The goal is to address the environmental barriers to school success through proactive intervention as developed by the collaborative association of the Probation Department, Child Protective Services, and Mental Health agencies.

The one assigned Deputy Probation Officer helps develop parent and teacher education and involvement, culturally appropriate interventions, and monitors school progress. The K-6 Program also arranges for school wide activities and offers true wrap-around services to children referred to the program by school personnel. Ultimately, each child involved in the program has a case plan that is developed between the collaboration of agencies as well as the school and the parent(s).

VI-16

The Community Service Work Program is a custody alternative, probation sanction or intervention sanction for minors either on probation or referred to probation by law enforcement. Probation employees supervise the minors at various work sites. These work sites are at non-profit organizations or government agencies. Tasks performed range from one-time clean up to ongoing site maintenance.

The Graffiti Abatement Program (GAP) is funded by the Office of the Mayor, City of Fresno. It is designed to hold juvenile graffiti offenders accountable by imposing immediate sanctions and simultaneously ridding the City of Fresno of the blight caused by graffiti and vandalism. It is a unique partnership between the City of Fresno, supported by the Fresno Police Department, and the Probation Department.

The partnership was conceived in June 1994. As of June 30, 2002, over 4,500 juveniles have been assigned to the Graffiti Abatement Program. Of that number, 85% have completed the Program. In return, taxpayers have received almost 100,000 hours of community service by the juvenile participants assigned to the Program. One full-time Deputy Probation Officer is assigned to the Program, along with several Community Service Work Program employees that supervise the minors on the clean-up crews.

This particular partnership between the Fresno County Probation Department and Fresno City is a program that imposes a realistic and immediate consequence for crimes by juveniles that impact the visual appearance of the City of Fresno, which in turn, affects the value of life in this city. This is indeed a viable partnership of which the Fresno community is the ultimate beneficiary.

Statistics 7/01/2003 – 06/30/2004 CSWP GAP Minors placed on program Minors completed programs Minors removed from programs (incomplete)

VI-17

The California Youth Authority is a disposition option available to local Juvenile Courts for serious or repeat juvenile offenders both male and female. The California Youth Authority is a state legislated custodial program consisting of approximately 20 facilities. The California Youth Authority provides educational, vocational, and treatment programs for incarcerated juveniles.

In addition to the statewide custodial institutions and/or camps, the California Youth Authority also provides those released from custody with aftercare parole supervision services.

California Youth Authority Commitments

03/04 68

02/03 116

01/02 103

00/01 73

99/00 110

VI-18

Larry R. Price Chief Probation Officer

Ollie Dimery-Ratliff Secretary IV-Confidintial Juvenile Hall Facility Director

Probation Services Manager Probation Services Manager Assistant Director Assistant Director Emilio Valle Brian Johnson

Supervising Juvenile Correctional Officer Supervising Juvenile Correctional Officer Supervising Juvenile Correctional Officer Supervising Juvenile Correctional Officer D/E Units F/G/H Units A/B/C Units Booking/Release

Sr. Juvenile Correctional Officer Sr. Juvenile Correctional Officer Sr. Juvenile Correctional Officer Sr. Juvenile Correctional Officer D Unit (3) F Unit (3) A Unit (3) Booking (3) E Unit (3) G Unit (3) B Unit (3) Juvenile Corrrectional Officer I/II Juvenile Corrrectional Officer I/II H Unit (3) C Unit (3) Booking (7) D Unit (8) Juvenile Corrrectional Officer I/II Juvenile Corrrectional Officer I/II Release Center (2) E Unit (8) F Unit (6) A Unit (14) Armed Transportation (5) G Unit (8) B Unit (3) Court Secruity (3) H Unit (5) C Unit (11) Population Control (1)

Supervising Juvenile Correcctoinal Officer ECF Kitchen Staff at Juvenile Hall Supervising Juvenile Correctional Officer Supervising Juvenile Correctional Officer Building Control - Swing Shift Dietary Aide I/II/III (3) Building Control - Graveyard Shift Security

Sr. Juvenile Correctional Officer Juvenile Corrrectional Officer I/II Juvenile Correctional Officer I/II Booking (1) Recreation Officer (1) Central Control (5) Juvenile Corrrectional Officer I/II Building Security (5) Booking (1) Lobby Security (2) Central Control (3) Medical Clinic Security (1) Supervising Juvenile Correctional Officer Deputy Probation Officer I/II/III A/B/C/D/E/F/G/H/J Units (30) Building Control - Day/Graveyard Shift Substance Abuse (1) Building Security (3)

Sr. Juvenile Correctional Officer Staff Analyst I/II Supervising Juvenile Correctional Officer Electronic Monitoring Juvenile Hall Training Officer (1) Personel/Schedulint J Unit Juvenile Hall

Supervising Stock Clerk Sr. Juvenile Correctional Officer Deputy Probation Officer I-IV (3) Juvenile Hall (1) J Unit (3) Juvenile Correctional Officer I/II (1) Juvenile Correctional Officer I/II J Unit (4) Stock Clerk I/II (1) Senior Maintenance Janitor (1) Jail Pod Janitor (2) Deputy Probation Officer I/II/III Washer (1) Senior Juvenile Correctional Officer (4) Juvenile Hall Commitments (1) Juvenile Correctional Officer I/II (10)

Emilio Valle, Probation Services Manager / Assistant Director, in charge of “D” unit, “E” unit and The Pre-Adolescent Program/“H” unit, the Girl’s Treatment Program/“G” unit and the Substance Abuse Unit “F” unit. He also

supervises the Stock Clerk, and one Deputy Probation Officer. Liaison between Foster Grandparents Program, Court Schools, Medical Services, Recreation Coordinator and Kitchen Staff.

Brian Johnson, Probation Services Manager / Assistant Director, is in charge of the maximum-security units, “J” unit, Jail Pod, facility security, the Transportation Unit and the booking/release functions in Juvenile Hall. He also supervises the Electronic Monitoring / Supervised Home Detention unit which consists of two Deputy Probation Officers and one Juvenile Correctional Officer.

The Juvenile Hall is used primarily as a detention facility to hold minors who have committed a law violation while they are processed through the Juvenile Court. In addition to holding minors pending court action, the Juvenile Hall provides secure confinement for minors pending delivery to the California Youth Authority, other juvenile and adult justice jurisdictions, foster and group home placements, and short-term court ordered commitments of 365 days or less.

The Juvenile Hall's bed capacity is determined by the California Board of Corrections and has a current rated capacity of 235 males and 30 females (265 total). Minors detained or committed to Juvenile Hall are afforded the necessities of life: food, clothing, and adequate living space. They are also afforded medical, dental, and mental health services on-site as needed. Additionally, a full, accredited school program is offered and provided to all minors housed in Juvenile Hall.

Total Admissions by Fiscal Year

03/04 4236 02/03 4153 01/02 4807

00/01 5292 99/00 5470

VII-2

Minors Accepted by Offense and Gender 7/1/2003 – 6/30/2004 Minors Admitted 4,169 Males Females Crimes against persons 681 304 Crimes against property 1,157 396 Crimes involving drugs/alcohol 261 74 Sex Crimes 59 8 Crimes involving weapons 160 41 Violations of Probation 493 177 Other (Disturbing Peace, False ID, etc.) 252 106 Total by Gender 3,063 1,106 Minors Released 3,852 Average Daily Population 295

Minors Accepted by Offense and Gender 7/1/2002 – 6/30/2003 Minors Admitted 4,236 Males Females Crimes against persons 677 243 Crimes against property 1,515 349 Crimes involving drugs/alcohol 235 63 Sex Crimes 95 4 Crimes involving weapons 146 10 Violations of Probation 367 114 Other (Disturbing Peace, False ID, etc.) 318 100 Total by Gender 3,353 883 Minors Released 3,864 Average Daily Population 301

Minors Accepted by Offense and Gender 7/1/2001 – 6/30/2002 Minors Admitted 4,153 Males Females Crimes against persons 649 200 Crimes against property 1,408 285 Crimes involving drugs/alcohol 251 71 Sex Crimes 110 0 Crimes involving weapons 164 14 Violations of Probation 344 108 Other (Disturbing Peace, False ID, etc.) 426 123 Total by Gender 3,352 801 Minors Released 3,803 Average Daily Population 286

VII-3

Minors Accepted by Offense and Gender 71/2000 – 6/30/2001 Minors Admitted 4,807 Males Females Crimes against persons 658 224 Crimes against property 1,456 259 Crimes involving drugs/alcohol 316 77 Sex Crimes 109 4 Crimes involving weapons 269 39 Violations of Probation 670 138 Other (Disturbing Peace, False ID, etc.) 464 124 Total by Gender 3,942 865 Minors Released 4,491 Average Daily Population 296

Minors Accepted by Offense and Gender 7/1/1999 – 6/30/2000 Minors Admitted 5,292 Males Females Crimes against persons 809 244 Crimes against property 1,305 208 Crimes involving drugs/alcohol 399 64 Sex Crimes 94 3 Crimes involving weapons 223 20 Violations of Probation 1,026 199 Other (Disturbing Peace, False ID, etc.) 532 166 Total by Gender 4,388 904 Minors Released 5,291 Average Daily Population 275

VII-4

The 265-bed capacity of the Juvenile Hall is not sufficient to securely detain all minors arrested by law enforcement and probation staff. Therefore, detention control guidelines are used by Juvenile Hall staff to determine which minors can be released to t heir respective parent(s) or guardian(s) pending Juvenile Court proceedings, and which minors will remain in secure confinement due to the risk they pose to the community’s safety.

If the decision is made to release the minor from Juvenile Hall on Supervised Home Detention, a contract specifying the conditions of the minor’s release must be signed and agreed upon by the minor and his/her parent(s)/guardian(s). The contract requires the minor to be in the presence of his/her parents/guardian at all times except when the minor is in his/her own home or at school. The minor will remain on Supervised Home Detention for approximately three (3) days, at which time, the minor will make his/her first Court appearance. In some cases, the Court will order the minor to be monitored electronically as a condition of continued release status pending further Court hearings. An electronic monitoring device is physically attached to the minor’s ankle and additional equipment is installed in the minor’s residence. The equipment monitors the minor’s presence in the home on a 24-hour a day basis. The minor’s approved (and unapproved) movements in and out of his/her residence is recorded and immediately transmitted to a monitoring station. The Probation Officer assigned to supervise the minor is quickly informed if the minor is not in compliance with his/her release conditions. A minor who is violating the conditions of the Electronic Monitoring Program may be returned to Juvenile Hall for secure confinement pending future court hearings.

On any given day there are approximately 60 to 90 minors in the community who are being supervised either on the Supervised Home Detention or Electronic Monitoring Program. The numbers of minors who violate their release conditions under these two programs are relatively small, less than ten percent of the total number supervised.

Electronic Monitoring Pre-Disposition Statistics 7/01/2003-6/31/2004 Total Minors Placed on Pre-EM 587 Males placed on Pre-EM 470 Females placed on Pre-EM 117 Total Minors Released from Pre-EM 565 Males released from Pre-EM 448 Females released from Pre-EM 117 Total Minors on Pre-EM as of 6/30/2004 60 Males 55 Females 5

Supervised Home Detention Statistics 7/01/2003-6/31/2004 Total Minors Placed on SHD 1,051 Males placed on SHD 859 Females placed on SHD 192 Total Minors Released from SHD 1,030 Males released from SHD 840 Females released from SHD 190 Total Minors on SHD as of 6/30/2004 35 Males 32 Females 3

VII-5

The female commitment program is one of several programs within the Institution. The program is located in "G" unit, and has a rated capacity of 30. At any given time, an average of 8 to 15 girls, ages 13 to 18, are committed by the Juvenile Court into the 63-day commitment program. This program is designed to hold minors accountable for their behavior, as well as meeting their needs in the areas of education, substance abuse, vocational training, counseling, and family reunification.

Females committed to the program receive drug awareness education and weekly group counseling through Fresno County Mental Health Systems. Additionally, minors committed to this program receive sexual abuse education and counseling through the Rape Counseling Center, as well as family planning and parenting education through Planned Parenthood. Vocational education training is available to the committed females as well as a variety of community-based programs and organizations. A Speaker’s Bureau has been incorporated into the girl’s treatment program to acquaint the minors with a variety of successful career women in the community.

Females committed to this program are also eligible to earn furloughs to aid in the transition back into the family/home environment after completion of commitment. Mental Health and Probation provides for transition services for the minors’ return to their homes and local school programs. A continuation of counseling and referral resources originating while in custody, is part of an aftercare implementation plan.

Female Program Commitments – 7/1/2003 – 6/30/2004 44

The Pre-Adolescent Boys' Commitment Program is one of several components contained within the Institution. The program is located in “H” Unit, and has a rated capacity of 30 boys, ages 8 to 14. At any given time, an average of 10 to 15 boys are committed by the Court into the 63-day commitment program, which is specially designed to meet the needs of the young male offenders.

Boys committed to the program receive substance abuse education/awareness through school education programs and education through Planned Parenthood. Additionally, on-site Fresno County Mental Health Services staff provides each boy with weekly group therapy, weekly family therapy, and individual therapy as needed. Christian-based programs are available to those individuals wishing to participate.

In the commitment program boys are also eligible to earn furloughs home to aid in their transition back into the family home environment after completion of commitment.

Pre-Adolescent Program Commitments – 7/1/2003 – 6/30/2004 60

VII-6

The Substance Abuse Unit is a collaborate effort of the Fresno County Probation Department, Fresno County Human Services System and Mental Health Systems. This program was implemented in November 2000. The Substance Abuse program is a co-ed 24-bed residential dual-diagnosis treatment program, located in Juvenile Hall, “F” Unit. Minors referred to the program are identified as having both substance abuse and mental health related issues. Each minor is committed to the program through a juvenile court order for 120-day minimum to 180-day maximum commitment after an assessment has been completed determining his or her immediate needs and suitability for the program. After completing the four-month program in Juvenile Hall, the minor will attend Aftercare for up to eight months.

Substance Abuse Program Commitments – 7/1/2003 – 6/30/2004 58

Long-term Juvenile Hall custody time has been used in the continuum of sanctions in the last year, when other available long-term custodial commitment programs were deemed not suitable. The long-term confinements to the Juvenile Hall ranged anywhere from 120 to 365 days.

On occasion, short-term Juvenile Hall custody time has been utilized by the courts for accountability, when other sanctions were not appropriate. These confinements ranged from 10 to 90 days.

Short Term Confinements (Less than 120 days) 278 Long Term Confinements (More than 120 days) 122 Total Confinements 400

VII-7

The Administrative Segregation Unit was established at the Juvenile Hall in April 1997, after a decision was made to transfer unfit minors who had been housed at the County Jail back to Juvenile Hall. Six single occupancy cells in the maximum-security area of Juvenile Hall are now being used for the housing of unfit minors and other juveniles whose behavior poses a significant physical threat to staff and other minors. The ability to isolate physically aggressive juveniles from the general population has reduced incidents of injuries for both staff and minors.

The return of the unfit minors to Juvenile Hall in 1997 created a need to significantly increase the number of staff required to transport unfit minors and other juveniles to their court hearings downtown. Prior to the start of that fiscal year, two armed Juvenile Hall staff were utilized to transport minors to downtown court hearings along with other routine transportation duties. Approximately eight to ten trips to the downtown courts involving an average of six minors were being made each month. Currently, five armed Juvenile Hall staff are being utilized to transport minors to the downtown courts with an average of 14 trips per month involving 22 minors. The transportation staff also make approximately 43 medical trips per month. In addition to these trips, approximately 32 minors per month are transported to miscellaneous destinations including California Youth Authority, Elkhorn Correctional Facility, detention facilities in other counties, and group homes.

VII-8

On February 3, 2003, Juvenile Hall minors were moved into a pod on the 5th floor of the North Jail Annex as a pilot project approved by the Board of Corrections (BOC). This move was part of a strategy to alleviate the continually crowded conditions at Juvenile Hall. This pilot project came about as the result of meetings between the Chief Probation Officer, Courts, BOC, and Sheriff. The Jail Pod is designated to house up to 30 post-disposition male minors who are 14 years of age and above.

Those transferred to the Jail Pod are selected from the ranks of our better behaved minors. Minors considered for transfer to the pod are first screened by mental health to determine if they are appropriate to be housed there. The Jail Pod offers a full day of school for minors. Mental Health and medical services are also provided. By having the ability to house 30 minors at another location Juvenile Hall is has been able to maintain its population at or below the BOC suitability cap for 285 on a more consistent basis.

VII-9

Larry R. Price Chief Probation Officer

Mike Elliott Secretary (1) Elkhorn Correctional FacilityDirector Susan Greer

Stock Clerk Offfice Assistants (3) Jimmy Finn Connie Ayala Karen Campos Karen Gipson TAC Officers (37) Selena Allen Facility Probation Officers (2) Deputy Commanders (5) Adam Balto Patty Tuck Robert Alvillar Terrance Bowen David Alanis Ed Avila Peter Bravo Bryan Crump Lisa Cerda Adrian Garcia Daniel Cerros Barry Rambonga Ana Dicochea Gary Stinecipher Betsy Duarte Aftercare Probation Officers (4) Extra -Help TAC Officers Assistance Director/Commander Javier Estrada Melissa Cutshall Yolanda Arroyo Cliff Downing Bobby Gilbert Rosendo Lopez Arthur Black Alex Gonzalez Terrance Burks Clifford Grimes Curtis Combs Sr. TAC Officers (12) Ahmad Hebert Marian Grimaldo James Davis SB 1095 Probation Officers (4) Senior Cook (1) Jerry Her Antonio Herrera Anthony DeLanda Alberto Bravo Porfy Gomez Michael Hernandez Simon Holguin Leobardo Estrada Felix Contreras James Hill Gregory Houser James Graham Bill Jalomo Marisol Kaehler Patricia Ledesma Sean Herrera Vacant Joaquin Leyva Baker (1) Belinda Lozano Kevin Lee Richard Lujan Bruce Dalton George Moreno Nay Lee Salvador Madrigal Tyise Parks Blanca Lopez Sue Matu'u Erica Ramirez Vince Onate Ricky Mullen Lorenzo Rodriguez Heidi Porter-Szakala Cooks (8) Monica Noriega Nicole Russell Marco Ramirez Dirk Agueros Miguel Novao David Sales Ian Rodriguez Brenda Daniels John Pfost Paul Sayavong Agapito Garza Rudy Pinon Dick Simonian Anthony Kyle Jennifer Powell Edward Thompson Linda Martinez Rigoberto Rios Gabriel Villasenor Pete Salcido Adriana Rivera Walter Spate Nora Roquie Noe Salazar Lee Sargent Dietary Aides (8) Jamie Thao Mary Ayala Maria Torres (Mora) Wanda Butts Chia Vang Javier Cervantes George Wheeler Helen Guzman (JH) Rito Zuniga Marie Valdez Billy Ward Sheryl Whipple Buddie Zink

Cliff Downing, Probation Services Manager / Assistant Director of the Elkhorn Boot Camp Program and the Elkhorn Delta Program.

Established in December 1997, with the opening of its first barracks capable of housing 50 non-violent minors, the Elkhorn Correctional Facility Boot Camp has now been fully operational for approximately 4 ½ years. A second barracks was opened in June 1998, adding 50 additional beds. Based upon the facility meeting all state and county regulations, the California State Board of Corrections, in early 1999, granted permission for Elkhorn to be the first camp in the state allowed to exceed a population cap of 100 minors. With the Board of Correction’s authorization, a third 50-bed barracks came on-line in October 1999. The fourth 50-bed barracks was completed in April 2000 to house the more serious offenders. The original boot camp program was modified providing a boot camp style program for the serious offender, and is known as the Delta Program. The Elkhorn Correctional Facility is now the largest Boot Camp in California with a rated capacity of 185 male minors.

During the first year of operation, the average daily population at the Elkhorn Correctional Facility was 69 male minors. During the second year of operation, the average daily population increased to 109, and averaged 170 during the third year of operation. This last two years of operation with all four barracks operational, the facility maintained an average daily population of 185 male minors.

Boot Camp Program

The Boot Camp Program (135-beds) is the original program started in December 1997, an intermediate sanction for non-violent offenders. The program is structured under a traditional military model, which incorporates strenuous physical activity, military drill/ceremony, and discipline. Its primary mission is to hold delinquent minors accountable for their criminal acts through 5 ½ to 6 ½ months of physical confinement. Its secondary goal is to impart education, leadership building skills, positive decision making and above all, a sense of self-control and self-accountability in the cadets. The on-site school program offers a solid general educational curriculum, special education, GED preparation and college courses. Last year 79 minors earned their GED or diplomas at Elkhorn. In the spring of 2002, a Culinary Arts program was added, offering a basic competency curriculum, a curriculum equivalent to any Junior College culinary program. Other program components at Boot Camp include drug education, community service, and strong mental health programming in anger management, control of stress, and positive socialization skills. Family involvement is also encouraged, which serves to strengthen the home environment and the parents’ communication skills, supervision/control skills, and overall parenting skills. All of these features and program enhancements, along with a strong Aftercare component affording intensive community supervision is designed to build young men who are capable of making better decisions which will help them lead a crime-free and productive life.

VIII-2

Delta Program

The fourth 50-bed barracks houses the Delta Program which offers a program for serious offenders, including violent offenders, minors with more than 3 separate offenses, and minors who have failed the Boot Camp Program (non-violent minors) in custody or Aftercare program.

The Delta Program incorporates most of the regular Boot Camp Program components, but is eight to twelve months in length and does not allow the personal, unsupervised movement within or outside the Elkhorn Facility which is allowed to the Boot Camp cadets who have earned high stages and demonstrated self-control and accountability. The Delta Program cadets are under closer direct staff supervision as they have displayed a previous lack of trustworthiness and self-control along with a more serious gang mentality, which causes them to pose a physical threat to other minors and staff. The Delta Program has been operational for slightly over four years and upon completion of the program the minors are promoted to the same Aftercare programs as the Boot Camp Program.

Aftercare Program and the Forward Bound Academy

The Forward Bound Academy is located on the old Teilman Community Campus. In cooperation with the Fresno County Probation Department, the Board of Education implemented this program to focus on the young men being released from the Elkhorn Correctional Facility back into the community. Consideration for attendance was based on criteria that the minor’s residence was within the Fresno City limits and their inability to return to mainstream school because of their prior academic or behavioral performance. Approximately 80-85% of the cadets released from the Boot Camp and Delta programs are required to attend this program. The program is an eight-hour day, with structured academics, work experience, and job placement.

The Forward Bound Academy has had great success with daily attendance averaging approximately 54 students per day. The attendance record is good in light of the fact that the majority of the students attended little or no school prior to their commitment to Elkhorn. Three Probation Officers are paid through grant funding to provide a high level of supervision, and to provide immediate accountability for those youth who violate the Court’s orders or re-offend with a new criminal charge. Academically, many of the cadets have been able to build upon their achievements while at the Elkhorn Correctional Facility by continuing at the Forward Bound Academy upon release. During the past fiscal year, 37 Cadets earned their high school diploma, and 41 Cadets earned their General Education Diploma (GED). This is a life changing accomplishment for many of these young men and points to the quality of the accredited educational programming at the Elkhorn Correctional Facility and the Forward Bound Academy.

Minors and former minors, who do not meet the eligibility criteria for the Forward Bound Academy upon release from Elkhorn, are placed on an intensive supervision caseload managed by two Probation Officers. The first 90-days of Aftercare, minors/former minors are monitored electronically while they attend their home school, and/or employment. All efforts are made to provide the structure, assistance, and supervision necessary to keep them focused on a crime free lifestyle and being a success in their community. Aftercare supervision and services are approximately one year in length.

VIII-3

County restores more jobs Supervisors also converted five District Attorney’s positions from extra-help – where By Jim Davis employees work without benefits – to full-time. Those June 26, 2003 attorneys have been handling misdemeanor cases. The Fresno Bee Supervisor Susan B. Anderson said the county Fresno County supervisors tentatively was misusing its own policies because extra-help is approved a budget Wednesday evening that restored meant only for seasonal work, not to keep costs down. dozens of probation officers, social workers and district attorney employees, but relies on $4 million slated to The approved budget also restores a prosecutor build a new Juvenile Hall. for elder abuse. The position had been paid for by a grant that ended in April. Supervisors opted to borrow more money later for the planned Juvenile Hall and surrounding campus. The approved budget also paid $800,000 for a child-abduction unit and also paid for a domestic-abuse Supervisor Judy Case initially hesitated at investigator. using money set aside for that project, but then agreed, noting that interest rates are the lowest they have been Supervisors on Wednesday also restored 20 of in decades. 28 probation positions marked for cuts. Probation Chief Larry Price called it great, but he was cautious. “We have huge needs this year and we’re laying people off,” Case said. “I don’t want people to get too euphoric until the state budget is passed,” Price said. The budget, which is expected to be formally adopted this morning, reduces the county work force by Supervisors also created a new administrative 298 positions from last year to this year. But during the analyst position to coordinate grant writing, set aside past three days, supervisors restored 127 jobs marked $70,000 to study ways to fund parks and allotted for elimination. Most of those jobs were filled, not $10,000 for training for county planning vacant. commissioners.

Board Chairman Juan Arambula said the In order to pay for all this, the county used $4 county’s budget could still change depending on how million set aside for a $175 million Juvenile Hall and state lawmakers deal with their budget crisis. surrounding campus planned for American Avenue and Freeway 99. Groundbreaking on that project is “There’s nothing left for us to do but wait and scheduled for September. prepare ourselves for what may be coming out of the state,” Arambula said. The county has $119.5 million set aside for the project and will need to come up with $26.4 million. The $1.39 billion budget is for the 2003-2004 (A $30 million courthouse also is planned, but the fiscal year, which begins July 1. Supervisors have been county is attempting to get the state to pay for it.) holding hearings throughout the week on the budget. It’s significant because in recent memory the The Children and Families Service department county has not borrowed money for a capital project. headed into the hearings with a proposal to lose 101 positions. But Arambula noted the county still has most of the money in hand for the juvenile project and little Supervisors restored 59 of those jobs during debt compared with other counties. hearings Tuesday and restored even more Wednesday – an additional 18 jobs. Arambula also noted the budget passed by supervisors Wednesday could change, depending on Department director Gary Zomalt said more what happens with the state. But he still praised the than 70 people would have lost their jobs under the budget. original proposed budgets, but all of the people in his department will be able to keep their jobs. However, “It was on time; it was thoughtful,” Arambula two county counsel attorneys who work with the said. “And it was the best we could do until we get department will be lost. more information.”

The District Attorney’s office lost 37 jobs in April, most of them in welfare fraud, and many of those employees received pink slips. Budget fallout rains on counties, education

On Wednesday, supervisors restored or created By Jim Davis a total of 12 jobs in the District Attorney’s Office. July 31, 2003 The Fresno Bee District Attorney Elizabeth Egan said her office will still have to lay off some employees, but A new state budget will leave Fresno County many can be added into the new and restored jobs. And officials scrambling to make cuts in “virtually every her office is attempting to place some investigators with department.” the Sheriff’s Department. IX-1

County Administrator Bart Bohn expects to Bohn said that will mean a second phase of budget lose more than $10 million with the budget passed by hearings. the state Assembly on Tuesday. “I can’t see it happening before August,” Bohn “We know there are going to be large, painful said. “We’re not going to have the detail we need reductions,” Bohn said. before the end of August and maybe later.”

But Fresno County officials are still trying to He said his office will look everywhere to find out the details about what exactly was passed, said make cuts, including in law enforcement. Susan Thompson with the county’s Human Services “The justice system is a huge system, and System. we’ll be looking at that along with everything else,” “We’re waiting for the Sacramento folks to Bohn said. start kicking out their basic information,” Thompson The Probation Department that monitors said. felons on the street and staffs Juvenile Hall has lost 18 Board Chairman Juan Arambula said he’s positions in the past six to eight months, Probation confused about the budget “like almost everyone I Chief Larry Price said. And he expects that his talked to.” department could lose more funds.

He said there are significant differences “The bottom line, I don’t think we’re going to between the versions of the budget passed this week by get away without losing more positions,” Price said. “I the state Senate and state Assembly. don’t see how that’s going to happen – I don’t know what would save us.” “I’m relieved they’ve agreed on something,” Arambula said. “I’d feel a lot better knowing what that District Attorney Elizabeth Egan said she’s not something is.” worried about more cuts, because she believes the supervisors understand that her office cannot lose more The near - $100 billion budget will go to Gov. positions. Davis, who said he will sign it this week. Bohn said both the Assembly and Senate versions include huge Her office lost 25 positions in June budget hits to the county budget. hearings.

The county faces losing up to $9.3 million in “Every one of the supervisors stressed that law funding from vehicle licensing fees. The state lowered enforcement was a priority,” Egan said. “I’m not those starting 1998, but the fees went to local worried they would cut us any further – they all made it government agencies. a point that law enforcement is a priority to them and to the citizens.” So, the state subsidized counties by paying for the loss in revenue. With the state budget crisis, the state raised the vehicle licensing fees and, with this budget, stopped making the subsidy payment. Searches without warrant clarified

But counties don’t expect the higher fees to By David Kravets start coming in for another two to three months, Bohn August 1, 2003 said. The Fresno Bee

The state’s also making counties pay a share of SAN FRANCISCO – Police may conduct warrantless a federal penalty because the state hasn’t switched to a searches on adult convicts only if authorities know in single computer system to track child-support advance that their subjects are on parole or probation, payments. the California Supreme Court ruled Thursday.

Fresno County’s share could be $1.7 million. The 6-1 decision, in overturning two Kern The county set aside $4.5 million in reserve funds County drug convictions, gives guidance to California during June budget hearings to deal with the cuts. officers on when they may search adult convicts without a warrant. But county supervisors needed to spend $1.192 million of those funds to pay for the recall The case focuses solely on searches targeting election of Gov. Davis, Bohn said. adult parolees released early from custody and probationers convicted of crimes but not sentenced to “We’re already being forced into spending incarceration. some of our money we were holding in reserve,” Bohn As a condition of avoiding custody or being said. released early, these convicts are required to waive their The county set its $1.39 billion budget in June Fourth Amendment right to be free from warrantless for the 2003-2004 fiscal year, which began on July 1. searches and seizure for months or years. But county supervisors will need to rework their The justices ruled that while officers can budget, because it’s deeply entwined with the state’s. undertake warrantless searches on known probationers IX-2 and parolees, such searches are illegal if officers learn Supervisor Judy Case said the county needs to of the convict’s status only after the search. take a hard look at its expenses, especially for travel.

“The admission of evidence obtained during a “These are really austere times for us,” Case search of a residence that the officer had no reason to said. “I don’t think we can justify taking trips and believe was lawful merely because it later was reducing services to the public.” discovered the suspect was subject to a search condition In the past, county administration allowed the would legitimize unlawful police conduct,” Justice county’s more than 20 departments to make budget Carlos Moreno wrote for the majority. decisions on travel and training. But the county is The case concerns Arlene Sanders and Kenton facing some of the toughest budget times in years and McDaniel, who pleaded guilty to possessing a small this summer cut 298 of its more than 7,000 positions. quantity of cocaine after police searched the The county expects to make more cuts in the Bakersfield apartment they shared. Authorities next month or so and the state budget picture becomes responded to the apartment when a neighbor alerted clearer. them that the pair was fighting in April 1999. So Bohn made a laundry-list proposal for ways After handcuffing them, police illegally to save county money. searched the apartment and found cocaine. The two appealed their guilty pleas, asserting that the cocaine Some of the ways to cut costs are reminders of could not be introduced in court because authorities existing practices or programs. searched the apartment and seized the drugs without a Employees, for instance, are reminded of the warrant. voluntary furlough program. Approved by supervisors Bakersfield authorities, only after discovering last year, the program allows county employees to take the contraband, realized McDaniel was on parole and two weeks off without pay. subject to warrantless searches. Among other things, The program will save more than $1.4 million the police asserted that McDaniel’s parole status was this year with county workers who already signed up to grounds for the warrantless search. work less time, Bohn said. The Supreme Court’s opinion, however concerned only Some of the suggestions are just common adult convicts. sense, such as urging employees to turn off monitors and lights after work to cut energy costs. Or reminding employees to use the interdepartmental mail system. Fresno County tightens belt Bohn said he sees letters mailed through the By Jim Davis U.S. postal system from other county departments that August 19, 2003 could be mailed free through the county mail system. The Fresno Bee “It probably takes longer to go through the post office than putting it into the office distribution,” Bohn said. Fresno County probation officers, youth counselors and others traveled last year to Tenaya Atop the list are travel out of the state and Lodge near Yosemite National Park for a conference on country and county-sponsored events. preventing juvenile crime. The county spent an estimated $400,000 or About 100 people attended the conference, at more last year on travel outside of California. Much of lunch and took in the historic setting. More than half the travel is mandatory and should continue, such as spent the night. And the county picked up most of the transporting prisoners across the country or picking up bill. an abducted child in Australia.

The Probation Department spent only $5,100 But many of the trips were for conferences for the conference, but probation managers already say across the country or in Mexico or Canada, Bohn said they won’t make a repeat trip. “My first question is, ‘Can’t you find that “We obviously are not doing it this year for training closer to home or is there some other way to obvious financial reasons,” said Philip Kader, who get that training?’” Bohn said. supervises the juvenile crime prevention department. County Administrator Bart Bohn wants other And the proposal also looks at county- departments to follow suit. He’s taking a proposal sponsored events such as the conference at Tenaya today to the Board of Supervisors to cut expenses, Lodge. including travel and out-of-county conferences such as Kader said the Probation Department went to the one at Tenaya Lodge. the lodge in Mariposa County to get away from typical “We think some of that is not appropriate distractions. Seven probation officers and eight when you’re reducing the size of the work force and probation support officers met with youth counselors to you see huge budget problems coming,” Bohn said. form preventative programs that already are being lauded across the state. IX-3

The event was held last September when the an interview earlier this month, but we should be department was able to “get a fantastic rate.” judged by our performance. Employees shared rooms to save money. The grading begins now with an “F” for the “We really found it to be an extremely districts failure to solve the campus police problem valuable experience to get people together for a day and ahead of the first school bell. a half,” Kader said. They said, the superintendent deserves an “A” But Bohn said the policy is now to hold for teaming with Fresno County Probation Chief Larry county-sponsored events in Fresno County and to make Price to keep 16 probation officers at selected every effort to use county-owned buildings. elementary, middle and high schools despite the loss of $240,000 in grants to the school district. He said all of the recommendations to cut costs will save money depending on how effectively If he had wanted to, Price could have scuttled they’re implemented by the departments. the problem. His department lost 18 positions to the state budget crisis, but he considers campus probation “We might not save a lot of dollars in any one officers an investment in public safety. of these in any one department,” Bohn said. “But if we save that amount in every department, it adds up and “This is a tremendous tool for early then it starts to send a message that these are valuable intervention,” Price said. “We not only save a kid from taxpayer dollars.” problems, but we save big bucks on the back end by keeping them out of trouble later on.”

You might be thinking, why flunk Wood when District, police must work it out Autry is the problem? The answer is, some assignments are tougher than others. Part of Wood’s By Bill McEwen job is to ensure that no politician is left behind. August 28, 2003 The Fresno Bee As of Wednesday, it wasn’t clear which way Autry was headed. When city police and Fresno Unified officials meet today, they should focus on a single question: “Having us pay for officers on campus when What must we do to put uniformed officers back in the the public school system is getting 40% of the state district’s high schools? budget already isn’t right,” Autry said. “We have $725 million to take care of a half-million people. The With student safety in jeopardy by a cut in the school district gets [$873 million] for 81,000 students.” state grant money to FUSD for the campus police program, this isn’t the time to play political Texas The mayor also resurrected his appointment Holdem – each side daring the other to walk away from plan, this time saying he would like to name two the table. trustees instead of all seven to the district board.

Truth is, the school year should have started Told of the mayor’s response, Wood said the this week with these 10 officers on campus, not in their district would seek new grants and called on Autry to cruisers. work with him “for the public good of our children.”

The city budget is $725 million: this district Before deciding whether to assign officers budget is $873 million. You’d think all the wise men back on campus, the mayor ought to talk to his police and women in these bureaucracies could have found the department. $385,000 needed to protect students. You’d think During the 2000-01 school year, the last year Mayor Alan Autry and Superintendent Santiago Wood for which statistics are available, police seized four could have gotten on the phone and agreed to split the guns and a total of 83 weapons from middle and high bill. school students on campus. But things are rarely that simple when it comes They also investigated 363 allegations of to the school district and the city. Fresno Unified is battery against a student, 19 allegations of battery Autry’s punching bag. And even though his goal of against a teacher and 16 allegations of use of a deadly appointing the school board went nowhere, the mayor weapon against a student. They seized narcotics 208 clings to the dream that municipal salvation can be times and alcohol 12 times. All told, they made 2,528 realized if the district answers to him. arrests. Wood, meanwhile, continues to insist the The numbers prove the need. Let’s hope the district is doing the best it can to educate some of the adults can put their differences aside and provide a nation’s poorest students. solution. Answering the mandate of a seven-member board that includes three trustees endorsed by Autry, he has taken to repeating the Clovis Unified mantra of accountability. Our challenges are great, Wood said in IX-4

Fresno officers keep temporary patrol at departments, into budget chaos. Fresno Unified was facing an estimated $40 million deficit. high schools

By Felicia Cousart Matlosz In this particular matter, the state informed August 29, 2003 Fresno Unified officials earlier this year that the safety grant would be reduced. The Fresno Bee

Uniformed police officers will stay on the beat McDonald said officials will search for other at Fresno Unified high schools – for now – while sources of money. “We did talk about their grant writer district leaders comb for money to help pay for the law and our grant people not waiting,” he said. “We’re enforcement coverage. working on that right now, trying to come up with grants that address safety issues.” Representatives for both agencies met Thursday after police department officials instructed the Fresno Unified officials Thursday also wanted 10 officers assigned to district high schools to clear out to emphasize that the campuses have other staff their offices but stay in the general vicinity of the members who provide safety and security. Schools campuses. At issue is $385,000 that Fresno Unified Superintendent Santiago Wood said the district spends School District has not yet paid for its half of the cost. more than $1 million annually on about 70 campus safety assistants. These employees get to know High school leaders hold the officers in high students, help handle behavior issues and, like police regard because not only does their presence serve as a officers, keep an eye out for possible trouble. deterrent to criminal activity, but the officers befriend students, earn their trust and keep a watchful eye out for While Fresno Unified searches for solutions, potential problems. some other districts in the central San Joaquin Valley pay for their share of police coverage. The officers primarily cover the 81,000- student urban district’s eight high schools but also visit Clovis Unified, with more than 34,000 other Fresno Unified campuses. students, is one of the few districts statewide with its own police squad. The department has six officers, Thursday’s meeting ran about an hour to 90 plus a Fresno city police officer assigned to Clovis minutes, and participants expressed hope for a solution West High School. The district budgets $600,710 for though it’s still unclear where Fresno Unified will find the officers. This includes the Fresno police position, the money. which is paid 25% by Clovis Unified and 75% by a federal grant. “We had a nice meeting, and we agreed on the importance of trying to fund the officers and keep them Madera Unified, with more than 17,000 on the school campuses,” said Deputy Chief Roger students, pays the full salary for two police officers Enmark. during the school year out of its general fund budget.

He also said the officers will remain assigned The city police department picks up the rest of those salaries during the summer. to the campuses. “They can patrol the perimeter, the neighborhoods around the school, or they can walk The cost was not readily available. through the campus,” he said. Visalia Unified, with about 25,000 students, But he added that “I told them we need to has nine police officers assigned primarily at its high settle this next week.” schools and middle schools. The district’s half is

Stan McDonald, a Fresno Unified Assistant $454,000, which comes out of its general fund budget. Superintendent who oversees the high school division, The city police department covers the other half, plus said both agencies concur on the importance of finding the cost of a supervising sergeant. a solution.

“We agreed, as we agreed when we talked Opinion editorial over the phone, that our priority was safety of our kids,” he said. “We all have a responsibility in making sure By Nancy M. Richardson that happens.” September 8, 2003 The Fresno Bee But “money is the issue,” McDonald said. “It’s an issue that’s not going to go away.” Amidst the din of the recall election Fresno Unified officials said discussions with campaigns, we hear many generalizations about making police department leaders began in March about the government better. It is reasonable to worry, however, district’s difficulty in paying for the police officers. about whether low-visibility issues will get their due Previously, the district used part of the money from a once the election-season hype is over and the everyday hard work of government resumes. state safety grant to cover its share of costs.

But this year, the state’s financial crisis threw One such issue is that of juvenile public agencies, including school districts and police incarceration. In the early 1940’s, reform-minded men established the California Youth Authority, a new State IX-5 agency founded in order to bring uniformity and Additionally, it struggles to transition Youth Authority humanness to the handling of seriously delinquent parolees from life as a prisoner to life as a productive youth. citizen.

For many decades, the Youth Authority had as Our cash-strapped Legislature would do well part of its mission the job of working with local to look at measures other states have taken to establish jurisdictions to devise effective local delinquency clear outcomes, measure them, and work toward prevention programs and to assist in the development of improving upon them, so that the $50,000 per year per strong County-run juvenile justice systems. The State- youth we spend to institutionalize people at the Youth County links were strong, and a spirit of cooperation Authority is optimally spent. And it would do well to and enlightenment prevailed. As budgets grew tight in require careful analysis of how Youth Authority recent years, this function of the Youth Authority all graduates fare after they are released. It also should but vanished, and the State-County relationship was examine the status of infants and toddlers who are in further torpedoed by the Legislature’s imposition of the care of young adults who themselves grew up in fees to be paid by the counties when sending youths to chaotic families and spent many of their adolescent Youth Authority institutions. years in penal institutions. And it should provide a structure, which restores productive relationships During 50 years, the population of Youth between county juvenile justice systems and the State. Authority institutions has grown and shrunk – not so much in reaction to crime trends, but more-so as a What is hard about this? Perhaps it is that we function of fiscal incentives and disincentives. In the get mired in making incremental changes in the status past, when the Youth Authority has become quo, rather than questioning the fundamental overcrowded, the Legislature provided fiscal incentives underpinnings of what we are doing. The Legislature’s for counties to treat offenders within the county. imposition of hefty fees on counties for use of the Presently, the Youth Authority is contracting rapidly. Youth Authority is a good example of an incremental Its population of institutionalized youth, numbering change which has had serious unintended more than 10,000 in 1996, is now down to about 5,000 consequences. It has destroyed the spirit of cooperation and dropping. The reason for this drastic drop is once enjoyed by the Youth Authority and the counties. neither that the State has fewer seriously delinquent And neither the Youth Authority nor the county kids nor that the State is awarding funds to counties so juvenile justice systems were made better in the that they can provide appropriate local services, to an process. increasingly neglected and abused, drug-impaired, California was once a leader in juvenile mentally ill population of serious delinquents. corrections, it is now case study in what not to do. The reason is far more perverse. The State, Throwing money at the current system, even if that wanting to reduce its burgeoning costs, imposed a new were possible, would not help. A fundamental re- fee schedule charging counties millions of dollars for thinking, on a scale done in the 1940’s when reformers housing youths at the Youth Authority. But it did not invented the Youth Authority, is overdue. Our give counties the fiscal wherewithal to develop local Governor should set this in motion and support it every facilities and programs to take care of severely step of the way. The Legislature, with or without the problematic kids. Fees paid by the counties per youth help of the Executive branch, should insist on it. Until now range up to $3,000 per month. The tab for Fresno then, we will continue to rely on our unspoken default County last year was $2.86 million. Until 1997, the strategy: Wait until our most problematic youths turn state paid nearly all of this with only a small charge to 18, then send them to state adult prisons, for which the counties. there is no charge to the county and apparently limitless access to state funds. When a delinquent kid continues to violate the law and has been in and out of every local program, Meanwhile, in Fresno County we have work to judges are left with no other choice except to commit do. We must capitalize on our Board of Supervisors the youth to the Youth Authority. Sometimes, a Youth and our Chief Probation Officer who are willing to Authority sentence is imposed in hopes that a youth invest in early intervention in order to minimize the might get into a limited number of beds in a specialized number of kids who will need to be locked up in our mental health or sex offender treatment program. Other costly new Juvenile Justice campus. Groundbreaking times, it is simply for lack of options which will at least takes place in a few weeks. The measure of our legacy keep the youth off the streets for awhile. Currently, will be in how wisely we use it. there are approximately 300 Fresno County youth in

Youth Authority institutions, and there are about 280 more who are back home on parole supervision.

The Youth Authority is struggling to manage a gargantuan down-sizing and an uncertain future, made more difficult by the strength of the prison guards union and by legal obligations to provide education, mental health, and other services to its very needy population. IX-6

Sanger parents pay for kids’ graffiti Saving lives of troubled youth is common goal By Donald E. Coleman September 4, 2003 By Larry R. Price The Fresno Bee September 18, 2003

The Fresno Bee In Sanger, when juveniles commit a graffiti crime, their parents will do the time. Being carved out of acres of grapevines,

The City Council has instituted a zero- Fresno County’s future – the new Fresno County tolerance policy on graffiti. Juvenile violators will be Juvenile Justice Campus – is being built on the subject to arrest, and their parents or legal guardians southwest corner of Freeway 99 and American Avenue. For generations to come this is a “Field of Dreams.” will be held liable for any property damage. The judge can sentence the parents to community service, says Planned for years, it will replace an antiquated Police Chief Thomas Klose. “We are yet to have a test and worn out Juvenile Hall. But, just as important, it case, but it’s coming. I’m sure.” will set a tone in how the people of Fresno County deal

Klose says several arrests have been made and with delinquency. A statement of purpose guided a the cases are pending in court. design to meet our future goals: “The Juvenile Justice Campus should depict the image of a commitment by What could lead to more taggers being turned the people of Fresno County to deal with the problem of in is the promise of a $1,000 reward for information juvenile delinquency in a positive manner. The end leading to the arrest and conviction of those committing goal shall be to redeem the lives of boys and girls who crimes of vandalism and graffiti. have come to the attention of the Juvenile Justice

Klose says the reward information is set up system and to turn their lives in a positive direction as law-abiding citizens.” similar to the Crime Stoppers program, with callers remaining anonymous. ‘Working Together’

City Manager Jim Drinkhouse says there has To be effective, our juvenile justice system been a noticeable decrease in graffiti since the new must be a collaborative effort of groups and policy was adopted this year. organizations working together to bring positive change

for our children. “I’ve communicated with a couple of parents who said they’ve told their kids they would kill them if For its part, the Probation Department adopted they did graffiti,” Drinkhouse says. a “strategic plan” for administering the juvenile system,

Klose says the city has historically had a including a “continuum of sanctions” that guide our problem with juvenile crime and has lacked county program and budget decisions – prevention, probation officers to help with the problem. He says he intervention, community-based supervision and incarceration with treatment. now has three officers serving schools.

“We’ve had a lot of juvenile cases falling In 1996 the interagency council for children through the cracks and cases getting dismissed because and families, under the direction of Presiding Juvenile of being so shorthanded,” Klose says. Court Judge Gary Hoff, went to work on a master plan for juvenile justice in the county. The components of All juvenile cases are now being handled by the new Juvenile Justice Campus were born out of that the school resource officers, who follow them through plan. to sentencing, Klose says. The primary goals of our juvenile justice Fresno County Chief Probation Officer Larry system must contain a commitment that no child shall Price says he has never been successful in placing be left behind, written off as a loser and ignored by officers in schools in the outlying areas. That situation society. Children are not born to be criminals. We probably isn’t helped by budget cuts that have led to the make them that way through neglect, abuse and loss of 18 probation officers in the past year and half, inattention to their early development. Children learn he says. their behavior. What a shame it is to lose children to the culture of gangs because they are the only family Further reductions are taking place now, with that “cares.” the Fresno Unified School District losing nearly one- quarter of the probation officers in schools. Study after study concludes that children who enter a life of crime and delinquency have a similar “We just keep going backward,” Price says. pattern of experiences: a dysfunctional family during

Police also are issuing citations for developmental years; alcohol and drug abuse; truancy skateboarding or bicycle riding without a helmet and in elementary grades; reading at a grade level years for violation of the city’s 10-p.m. curfew for those behind their peers; no opportunity for positive social younger than 18 years old. interaction in a place like a boys and girls club or youth groups such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Campfire; after-school activities such as sports; and the most IX-7 crucial element, supporting adults as role models who San Joaquin County led the state’s largest care about them and their future. counties with 157 cases per officer.

We cannot afford to write off a single child as While Fresno County’s average more than a loser and pay for a life spent in a prison cell. We doubles those of the three most populous counties – Los have to come together and pay extra attention to those Angeles, Riverside and San Diego – probation officers’ who fall behind in their social and academic efforts are even more harrowing when it comes to development. We have to keep little problems early on dealing with adult offenders. from escalating into big problems later. We have to In the adult field unit, there are 4,494 care! probationers who have committed felonies and another This community has shown a great 624 misdemeanor offenders. commitment to building a juvenile justice system that Two officers handle 348 sex offenders and will, in the long run, save the lives of many of our child abuse cases. One officer tries to keep track of 200 young people and save millions in tax dollars for gang members on probation, while another supervises generations to come. Our county Board of Supervisors 279 cases of people on probation for vehicle theft. made a solid business decision for the people of Fresno County. The most astounding numbers come from three officers with felony caseloads approaching 1,000 As the chief probation officer, I am proud of each. the people who have made the building of a new juvenile justice campus a reality. It is not just new “We’re constantly putting out fires,” says buildings, but a new beginning of a philosophy of probation officer Melissa Madsen, who once had 1,000 commitment to the youth of this great county. cases at one time, but now splits sex-offender cases with colleague Craig Solis. The construction at Freeway 99 and American Avenue is indeed a “Field of Dreams” in the making. “It’s different with 170 cases,” says Madsen, a five-year probation officer. “We’re out in the field Larry R. Price has been the Chief Probation once a week. We’re catching the violators. If everyone Officer of Fresno County since 1996. He is currently was able to do that, the community would be safer.” the state president of the Chief Probation Officers of California. Says Officer David Ruiz: “There are so many

cases, some slip through the cracks.”

Ruiz has 945 cases, and his days usually are Probation backlog crippling spent completing paperwork and talking on the phone.

By Donald E. Coleman Officers spend four days a week filling out court papers. September 28, 2003 The Fresno Bee On top of rows of file cabinets are stacks of

In a small room at the Fresno County files Ruiz hasn’t gotten to yet. Appointments already are filled through the third week of October. Probation Department sit more than 2,000 bench warrants naming sex offenders, child abusers and gang “They’re supposed to report to us monthly,” members who are on the street when they shouldn’t be. says Ruiz.

Bringing them in sometimes seems like a “We get to them when there is a complaint, a nearly impossible job for officers of the department’s police report or they’re terminated from a program most beleaguered Adult Field Services Unit. [drug or alcohol treatment]. In a perfect world, we’d be able to keep track of them.” With average caseloads nearly double the statewide average and the second highest among the Nearby, Officer Moses Kearney has files on state’s largest counties, Fresno County probation top of file cabinets and under desks. He has yellow officers are struggling to keep tabs on dangerous felons. Post-It notes all over a cabinet at his desk for the most

Chief Probation Officer Larry Price fears his pressing matters. Files are so numerous, they’re in hallways and other rooms. officers are being buried under mountains of paperwork and files. Job requires time in neighborhoods

“The officers have turned into paper pushers,” Running down violators takes time, too. says Price. “Public safety is at great risk. We don’t Officers do reconnaissance of neighborhoods, looking supervise.” for abandoned cars, big dogs, other possible threats and

The 169 Fresno County probation officers security doors. Teams often move in during early- morning hours, while fugitives are sleeping. handled 12,806 total probation cases in 2001, an average of 75.8 cases per worker, according to the state On a recent morning, officers tracked down Attorney General’s Office. two-convicted auto thieves who missed probation meetings, a sex offender who had not registered with IX-8 the county as required and a felon who was thought to Character Counts is a core values program be in possession of weapons. adopted for the youth in Fresno County juvenile justice In all, eight violators were brought in, not system. It embraces six pillars of character that we much of a dent in that stack of bench warrants, and with should all practice in our daily lives – trustworthiness, the state reeling under a massive deficit, a solution respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. doesn’t appear on the horizon. The Character Counts program was Price says while funding for juvenile probation implemented as a joint effort of collaboration by the officers comes from state and federal grants, officers Fresno County Probation Department, Fresno County for adult felons comes totally from the county’s general Office of Education, Fresno County Children’s Mental fund. Health Services and the Superior Court – Juvenile Delinquency Division. Starting as a pilot project at the “It’s a big commitment,” Price says. “But Juvenile Hall, it is now used throughout the Probation there is a trade-off. If I had enough probation officers Department and court schools as a foundation for on the streets to properly supervise felons, we could principles of basic behavior expectations, counseling make a tremendous impact on the crime rate in Fresno programs and curriculum development. County. We could keep people from committing new crimes.” Congratulations to all of the partners in the respective agencies that devoted the time and energy to While state Justice Department statistics don’t bring this program forward to help make our juvenile separate juvenile officers from adult officers, the justice system more responsive to the needs of our numbers show that the total probation caseload average community. The six pillars of character will serve our statewide was 42.2 per officer in 2001. county well and we now start the process of developing Added officers could reduce crime program components for our new juvenile justice campus that is under construction at Highway 99 and Of the 10 largest counties in the state, Orange American Avenue. County’s caseload is 52.7 per officer, Sacramento county’s 39.6. Riverside County’s 35.2. Los Angeles

County’s 28.5, Kern County’s 25.3 and San Diego November 22, 2003 County’s is 23.6. The Fresno Bee Price says adding enough officers to bring the Thumbs up to the Elkhorn caseload down could easily be justified by a resulting Correctional Facility Cadet Drill Team and reduction in crime. staff for receiving Best of Parade honors from “It’s ridiculous. The court puts them on felony the Veterans Day parade committee. The training probation, and we don’t supervise them. They commit officers are Barry Rambonga, Sean Herrera, Terrance another crime, and they go to jail. They commit Bowen, James Davis, Nichole Russell and Gabriel another, and they go to prison. The gatekeeper is Villasenor. supposed to be the Probation Department.”

Price says even with today’s tight budgetary Probation workers to be honored constraints, adding new officers makes good business sense. November 27, 2003 The Fresno Bee “In five years, we would recoup fivefold the money saved on jail beds,” he says. “When money gets Two Fresno County Probation Department tight, we go for crisis management instead of good, employees will receive awards Dec. 10 at the Chief sound business decisions.” Probation Officers of California's Awards Luncheon in San Francisco. “Five or six years ago, some politicians wanted to cut the fat,” 13-year veteran officer Jesse Philip Kader, the county's Prevention Services Montemayor says. “They cut the fat and the muscle. Manager, was named Probation Manager of the Year. We’re down to the bare bones.” Kader began working for the county's Probation Department in 1980 as a counselor at Juvenile Hall. He now manages the Juvenile Crime Prevention Division and oversees an annual budget of nearly $3 million.

Matter of character Ray Guevara, a deputy probation officer with Fresno County, will receive a distinguished service By Larry R. Price award. He was selected for his commitment to juvenile October 21, 2003 prevention programs in Fresno County. Guevara The Fresno Bee started working for the Probation Department in 1986 On Oct. 14, the Fresno County Board of as a group counselor and in 1990 became a deputy Supervisors proclaimed Oct. 19-25 as “Character probation officer. Counts Week.” IX-9

December 27, 2003 Without that money, county probation The Fresno Bee departments would have to shut down programs for young offenders. These programs have been shown to Thumbs up to the Fresno County be more effective and less costly than CYA. employees of the Probation Department and Juvenile Hall for adopting Burroughs School. In come cases, that means teenagers convicted More than 90 children from the school’s of minor crimes would not get the attention they need, neediest families received gifts. The children and their whether that's mental health, family and drug parents were invited to the school for the gift counseling, or extra help with school work or weekend distribution, which included at least 10 bicycles. “The cleanup details. Some would be shipped off to CYA, Christmas spirit could not have been more evident,” where they are likely to emerge more dangerous than reported Principal Bill Walker. “The generosity of our when they arrived. county’s probation officers and Juvenile Hall staff Under Schwarzenegger's budget proposal, made Christmas special for many Burroughs families.” Fresno County would lose $4.8 million. That would mean closing the boot camp and 30 beds at juvenile hall. The county also would lose its ability to send New correctional officers for juveniles to be youths who stand a chance of leading productive lives sworn in to a local camp instead of CYA.

January 7, 2004 For those who don't care about reforming The Fresno Bee juvenile delinquents, there are serious fiscal consequences to the governor's proposal as well. Forty-seven juvenile correctional officers will According to the latest figures provided by the be sworn in by the Fresno County Probation Schwarzenegger administration, it costs taxpayers Department at a ceremony Thursday. approximately $80,000 a year to incarcerate young criminals at CYA. Counties spend much less, The majority of the correctional officers have anywhere from $36,000 to $40,000 to keep juvenile been hired within the last year to fill vacancies at the offenders in local camps and even less for home county's Juvenile Hall and boot camp. monitoring and other intervention services that don't The ceremony will be at 3 p.m. Thursday in require lockup. the Fresno County Plaza Ballroom, 2220 Tulare St. in The governor can save money and make us Fresno. Chief Probation Officer Larry Price will safer if he leaves federal welfare funds with the administer the oath of office.

counties, where it can do the most good.

Penny wise, crime foolish Video conference focuses on task of Opinion stopping youth violence cycle April 13, 2004 The Fresno Bee By Louis Galvan June 4, 2004 The California Youth Authority, the sate The Fresno Bee prison system for the state's most incorrigible young offenders, is in shambles. No on disputes that. In a With a 45-year-old juvenile hall facility series of recent hearings in the Legislature, disturbing routinely full, Fresno County is scheduled to open a testimony documented how young criminals don't $176 million juvenile hall in the spring of 2006 which should go a long way in addressing the crowding issue. receive the rehabilitation services they desperately need and that state taxpayer pay for. But the goal now is to never fill up the new

Worse, these mentally fragile young wards are juvenile hall, Larry Price, Fresno County chief probation officer, said Thursday. sometimes locked up 23 hours a day for weeks at a time, regularly brutalized by other inmates and even “The No. 1 role of this probation department is guards. CYA has been an expensive and embarrassing to help keep young people stay out of trouble,” he said. failure. “It's a no-brainer,” he said, “but to help keep Despite that, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's young people out of the cycle of crime is to keep current budget plan would send younger, more prevention and early intervention programs alive.” vulnerable and less dangerous teenage offenders into the CYA gulag. That's because the governor proposes Price was among nearly 100 local law to shift $201 million a year in federal welfare funds to enforcement officers and youth advocates who gathered state coffers that had gone into local juvenile halls, at Fresno Convention Center's Exhibit Hall to take part ranch programs and other county-based services. in a statewide video conference aimed at preventing violence against youths.

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Sponsored by The California Wellness Program allows youths to remove Foundation, the conference, “Keeping Youth Safe: unwanted tattoos Strategies that Work to Prevent Violence,” featured a 90-minute live broadcast from Sacramento television By Kerri Ginis station KVIE Channel 6 and Los Angeles television June 6, 2004 station KCET Channel 28 that was downlinked to cities The Fresno Bee in Fresno, Los Angeles, Redding, Sacramento, San A 17-year-old at Fresno County's Juvenile Hall Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose and said he regrets getting the three gang-related tattoos that Santa Barbara. cover his neck, forearm and upper arm.

Video conference speakers included Bill His friends coaxed him into getting the tattoos Lockyear, state attorney general; Kim Belshe, state when he joined a gang two years ago. But now, the 17- Health and Human Services Agency secretary; Leroy year-old said, “It seems like because I have them, it Baca, Los Angeles County sheriff; Albert Najera, keeps getting me into trouble, so I think it's better off if Sacramento police chief; and a half-dozen state senators I get rid of them.” and Assembly members. A program starting this fall in Fresno County The California Wellness Foundation is a will make it easier for him and other youth. private, independent foundation created in 1992, with a mission to improve the health of the state's citizens. The nonprofit Youth Advocates Foundation is spearheading the effort, which will provide free tattoo Price said his department receives about $3.2 removals to anyone in the county's Juvenile Hall, million each year from the foundation, which his office Elkhorn Correctional Facility or foster-care system. uses to support in-house prevention programs and other programs, such as the Boys & Girls Clubs, Police The hope is that once these youths get rid of Activities League, Students Targeted with their tattoos, they will be able to leave gang life behind. Opportunities for Prevention and others. Removing visible tattoos from their necks and STOP has a family-based intervention arms also could help in the future when they apply for programs in seven communities and 13 schools and a jobs. school-based program at 10 rural schools, 3 inner-city schools and 2 suburban schools. “We figure most of these kids got these tattoos when they were too young to realize what they were The program targets children 10 to 14 years of doing, and this will really help them turn their lives age and provides them and their families with tutoring around,” said Fresno County Board of Supervisors and mentoring, evening and weekend activities, Chairwoman Susan B. Anderson, who helped organize substance abuse and alcohol intervention, gang the program. education and intervention and other services. The county is buying its own tattoo-removal More than 1,500 youths have gone through the machine with $150,000 it received from Indian gaming program since it was formed in 1999. money that was earmarked for youth development, Ali Hussain and Brandie Salazar, both 14 and Anderson said. A recent survey of about 50 youths in both students at Huron Middle School in Huron, said Juvenile Hall revealed that 80% wanted a tattoo the program has helped them improve their grades and removed. But the high cost of the treatments has has opened their eyes to the value of higher education prevented many from having it done. and how to say no to gangs and drugs. “We were surprised about the number that did Fresno police Sgt. Tim Hahn, coordinator of express a desire to have their tattoos removed,” said his department's PAL program, said prior to getting Mitzi Lowe, head of the Youth Advocates Foundation. involved with PAL, most of his contacts with youths “They just didn't think it was an option.” were those he arrested on the streets. Details of the county's tattoo-removal program Today, he said, he has learned that just making still are being worked out, but the goal is for the arrests is not the answer. machine to be operational by October.

“We need to give our kids hope,” he said, Juveniles will get several treatments over a pointing to PAL programs involving leadership period of months until the tattoos are no longer visible. training, tutoring, field trips, responsibility and The same service will be available to adults for monitoring. a fee, Anderson said. This is not the first time Fresno County has “You just can't go on arresting the kids and had a tattoo-removal program. their parents,” he said. “That cycle has to stop.” About five years ago, the county received a tattoo-removal machine through the state.

But it was difficult to find doctors who had the time to operate it; after a year, the state sent the IX-11 machine to another county, said Phil Kader, a Investing in probation saves dollars. A prevention services manager in the Fresno County properly funded Probation Department will mitigate the probation department who is also a member of the cost associated with arrest and prosecution; probation Youth Advocates Foundation. programs are a good investment of the taxpayer dollars for public safety. Currently, the county's Department of Employment and Temporary Assistance contracts with plastic surgeons who remove tattoos for adults on

CalWorks, the state's welfare program. U.S. flag, source of great pride and Tattoo-removal machines use a laser to attack patriotism, stolen the tattoo ink below the skin. Over several treatments, the ink begins to disappear, said Dr. Edward Moreno, By Vincent Onate the county's health officer. Sr. TAC Officer Elkhorn Correctional Facility The success of the tattoo removal depends on June 16, 2004 several factors, including the type of ink that was used, The Fresno Bee whether it was done by a professional tattoo artist or an amateur; and the person's natural skin pigmentation, I recently returned from Iraq and all I've been Moreno said. doing is trying to adjust back to the norm of things and forget that long nightmare. A 16-year-old cadet at Elkhorn said he is eager to remove the six gang-related tattoos from his arms, It's hard though, and sometimes the nightmares legs and chest. keep me awake at night. But the best reward was making it back home, back home to good ol' Fresno and He said he knows his tattoos would make in one piece. getting a job difficult. I wasn't wounded in action, nor did I receive “I think about it all the time,” he said, “the any heroic medals, but there were many times that I way people stare at me, and the enemies I have because came close to getting that Purple Heart. I'm sure glad I of them. It's really messing me up. I just want to get never did. Those who received the Purple Heart have them removed. my ultimate respect and I hope they wear their medals with pride.

Those comrades who fell and came home

dressed in the red, white and blue, they will never be Paying its way forgotten. They are the true heroes of this country, By Larry R. Price which brings me to the heart of my message: June 16, 2004 Remembering the anniversary of D-Day, the passing of The Fresno Bee former President Reagan, the commemorations of National Flag Day and Independence Day and being a Arrest and prosecution and then what? patriot of Operation Iraqi Fresno, I decided to go out Another year of diminished resources in the Probation and by a $40 U.S. flag to display at home. It never Department continues to exacerbate the intent of public crossed my mind that an American would steal my flag. safety in Fresno County. This department has a It was displayed for not more than eight hours before it documented study validating the highest ratio of was taken by an American thief. probation officers to adult felons on probation in California. I'm not sure of the reason my flag was stolen, but I hope the thief who stole my flag displays it with It is the general perception of the public that pride, honor and remembers all of us who have served when someone is charged and convicted of a felony, and paid the ultimate price for freedom in this great they go to prison. Not so, most stay locally within our nation. community and are placed on probation for three to five years in an environment with basically little or no supervision, which translates into no accountability, Public safety hurt by cuts in county rearrests occur, the cycle of crime continues and the probation department cost to taxpayers is a bottomless pit. By Clifford Downing Resources in juvenile and adult probation President, Fresno County continue to decline. I have documented the need for Deputy Probation Officer's Association more than 200 additional personnel in Juvenile and June 21, 2004 Adult Probation to make probation's role in the criminal The Fresno Bee justice system in this county effective. But, we continue to take steps backward in our ability to deliver This week the Board of Supervisors will have services. to make difficult decisions pertaining to public safety. Currently, the county administrative officer has IX-12 recommended eliminating 18 deputy probation officer Two things are certain. More money won't positions. Since 2000, 41 such positions have been magically appear, and some departments will lose. eliminated. “It's sort of like having to rob Peter to pay In the mid '70s, there were approximately 125 Paul,” said board Chairwoman Susan B. Anderson. officers. Now 30 years later, the Probation Department “It's going to be another tough year, but I think is down to 123 officers. we can get through it,” Supervisor Juan Arambula said. Moreover, between the adult and juvenile “In terms of cuts, we're not as bad off as we were last divisions, there are more than 10,000 active year, although there still will be some painful probationers in Fresno County and more than 3,000 reductions.” warrants. In the adult system, approximately 60% of all In the past several years, Fresno County has convicted felons are granted probation, which consists watched its revenues slowly decline. The state, facing of a period of three to five years. it's own budget crisis, turned to counties and cities for For juveniles, approximately 98% are placed monetary relief by grabbing local revenue sources such on probation. Not only are there more offenders as property taxes. entering the system, but those who are in it are State cutbacks hit last year's county budget of increasingly more sophisticated and violent. In 2003, $1.39 billion hard. The loss of vehicle license fees and the adult system saw a record high of 6,449 felony pre- property tax revenues forced departments to reduce sentence reports prepared for the Superior Court and expenses, leave vacant positions unfilled and return more than 3,000 violation of probation reports. money set aside for uncompleted projects. As probation funds continue to decline, the Some officials estimated Fresno County's ability to deliver the appropriate services has a large deficit in the 2004-05 fiscal year, which starts July 1, impact on the safety of this community. Chief could hit $15.9 million. Probation Officer Larry Price ahs documented the need for more than 200 additional positions in the adult and The worst-case scenarios didn't materialize, in juvenile divisions in order to effectively make a part because of a deal on property tax struck between positive impact on the criminal justice system. For local governments and Gov. Schwarzenegger. But the public safety to be successful, the district attorney, deal, which still needs legislative approval, means sheriff and probation need to be properly funded. Fresno County will get $7.8 million less in property taxes in 2004-05.

Most of the $7.8 million would have gone to Officials face decisions on budget public safety. County officials are left scrambling to find the money somewhere else so they can avoid cuts By Kerri Ginis to law enforcement and fire protection. June 21, 2004 The Fresno Bee One option before the board is taking nearly $5 million from the Public Works Department. That Fresno County's budget is expected to exceed money would primarily be used for road maintenance. $1.4 billion this coming fiscal year, but county leaders still face tough decisions to avoid significant cuts in law For every $1 million the department loses this enforcement. year, it would mean up to 31 miles of roads couldn't be maintained, interim department head Andy Richter said. The Board of Supervisors begins a week of It could also lead to staffing reductions. hearings on the 2004-05 budget today, and the central theme is clear: Not every department will get what it “I know [supervisors] have other needs to wants. meet but this road system is valued at well over $1 billion, and it will deteriorate without this money,” he The supervisors have already said public said. “We will be working less on roads with less safety is their main priority. But money is tight. They people.” will have to take funds from other departments to avoid possible public-safety cuts such as these: The board has other pots of money besides the ƒ $1.3 million from the District Attorney's road fund. It can take money designated for capital- Office, which would mean laying off 22 improvement projects, such as $636,000 set aside for prosecutors. structural repairs in an underground garage or $250,000 ƒ $2.2 million from probation, which would earmarked for a lighting project. It can also dip into an eliminate some of the employees who annual-leave fund used to pay accrued vacation time for employees who leave the county. monitor paroled felons. ƒ $11.6 million from the Sheriff's These are one-time funds that will only get the Department, which would force closure of county through this coming year. the jail's north annex and the release of hundreds of pretrial inmates. But if the supervisors keep the roads maintained and the garages repaired, then the effect on IX-13 public safety is potentially more devastating, some 'Essential' to justice county officials say. By Philip Kader & David Gonzales

The county Probation Department was asked Co-Chairs, Probation Service to reduce its budget by $2.2 million. That would force Mangers Association of Fresno County the department to shut down 60 beds in the juvenile June 22, 2004 The Fresno Bee hall. It also would equate to the loss of 22 probation officers. As probation service managers, it is our

Eliminating those positions would mean no responsibility to ensure that department line staff has one in the county will be monitoring whether adult the support to be effective in their service to the courts, clients, victims and community. felons are sticking to the terms of their probation.

“We will do nothing other than maintain their The department provides innovative and case files,” Chief Probation Officer Larry Price said. collaborative juvenile crime prevention programs. The Juvenile Division not only runs juvenile hall and the Losing 60 beds in the juvenile hall would boot camp, we are the first to receive the arrest report mean Fresno County couldn't take in juvenile offenders and responsible for advancing it to the district attorney. who commit misdemeanor crimes and wouldn't have as More than 10,000 youths are referred to our department much room in the alcohol- and substance-abuse unit. each year, resulting in more than 4,100 court reports

and 4,000 youths incarcerated last year. “I have confidence in the Board of Supervisors that they're going to prioritize public safety,” Price said. In the Adult Division, probation officers are

Similar cuts could occur in the Sheriff's assigned to supervise offenders convicted of serious Department, and district attorney's and public crimes. We complete more than 7,500 sentencing and defender's offices. status reports every year. The court utilizes these reports to determine appropriate sentences. Personnel Sheriff Richard Pierce said he's not asking for at the jail and prisons where many of these criminals anything new this year; he just wants to maintain what serve time read our reports. The Adult Offender Work he has. Program received more than 4,500 referrals last fiscal

County administrators proposed Pierce cut year, and more than 300 adults were referred to Work $11.6 million out of his budget, but the sheriff said he is Furlough. The adult supervision unit has 11 deputy already operating at “bare-bones levels.” The probation officers supervising more than 7,000 felony additional cut would mean having to close the jail's probationers. Simply put, there are thousands of adults north annex and releasing nearly 1,300 pretrial inmates. who have committed very serious crimes walking the The department would also lose 129 positions, streets of Fresno County. Each member of our staff has caseloads totaling well into the hundreds. including deputies and correctional and community- service officers. It is reassuring to know that there are police

“That would have a significant and devastating arresting those who break the law. It is time we all impact on public safety,” Pierce said. realize that, once they get arrested, the Probation Department is responsible for a myriad of functions. It For District Attorney Elizabeth Egan, meeting is time probation services are viewed as being as the county's proposed reduction of $1.3 million to her essential to the administration of justice as any other department's budget would mean having to lay off 22 part of the system. prosecutors.

The county doesn't have enough persecutors to keep up with its current caseload, Egan said. Each Fresno county passes budget prosecutor in Fresno County handles, on average, 450 cases a year. Prosecutors in counties of similar size By Kerri Ginis average about 250 cases a year, Egan said. June 25, 2004 The Fresno Bee “Our caseloads are increasing exponentially,” she said. Moments after unanimously adopting a $1.4 billion budget Thursday, Fresno County supervisors County officials expect a balanced budget for deposited coins in a piggy bank and joked that they the 2004-05 fiscal year to be adopted by Friday. were already saving for next year.

Said Arambula: “This year and especially next “I'm going to keep that piggy bank visible for year will be difficult. But I think we have enough everyone,” said Supervisor Judy Case, who was given revenues to get us through this year and still have some the small ceramic bank because she will lead the budget money in reserves.” hearings for next year. “My hope is that we will start to see some turnaround in our state, but I think it's going to be a little tougher next year on all of us.”

IX-14

The board adopted a balanced budget for the 2004-05 fiscal year, which begins July 1, even though the county faces cutbacks from the state.

Under a proposed two-year agreement, Fresno County would lose $7.8 million in property taxes this fiscal year. Most of that money would have gone to law enforcement.

County officials had to put resources away from other departments so they could avoid making drastic cuts to public-safety agencies.

Ultimately, the board opted to take away more than $24 million from other departments so it could restore hundreds of law-enforcement positions that were slated for elimination.

Other department heads gave up the money by putting projects on hold and leaving vacant positions unfilled. Many of the supervisors thanked those department heads for helping the county through a difficult time.

“I think we've all realized that we are one entity and everyone needs to pitch in,” Supervisor Juan Arambula said. “Even though there was a lot of concern, I believe there is a great amount of relief among employees and our department heads.”

But the county could face more difficult financial times in 2005-06.

The state is proposing to take away another $7.8 million in property taxes. And the majority of the revenue the board used to fill holes in this year's budget was one-time money that won't be available next year.

Fresno County still could get some money back form the state this year, if the Legislature doesn't agree with some of Gov. Schwarzenegger's proposed cuts.

Said Arambula: “If we don’t get any money back from the state, I think that should be put in reserves as a little extra protection for next year.”

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July 2003 – Rosalinda Vera In April of 2001, Rosalinda Vera was assigned to the Adult Field Services Unit where she works on the FS Desk processing revocations, bench warrants, reinstatements, probation modifications and transfers. She assists with the phones and interprets for Spanish speaking clients. Rosalinda has taken on desks that have been backlogged, and has managed to catch up on work with accuracy and timeliness. It is no surprise that productivity has increased significantly with the added support and expertise that Rosalinda has brought to the Field Unit. The volume of work Rosalinda processes on a daily basis has always been high, but taking it upon herself to work on a desk in the absence of a co-worker so that there would not be a backlog proves Rosalinda is an exceptional employee. Rosalinda has gained the respect of her peers, Probation Officers, and Supervisors alike. Her dedication to the job is untiring and consistently exceeds normal expectations. Since her employment with the Probation Department, Rosalinda has demonstrated expert technical skills, a positive attitude towards cross training, and strong leadership skills. Her high energy and exceptional organizational skills help to motivate staff and maintain good morale. Rosalinda’s positive attitude and work ethic truly exceeds standards for office support staff. She is the epitome of a team player. She takes her responsibilities very seriously and takes pride in doing a good job. She is without a doubt, an asset to this department.

August 2003 – Brenda Daniels The August 2003 Employee of the Month award was presented to Elkhorn Correctional Facility Cook, Brenda Daniels. Anyone who knows Brenda knows she makes a huge impact in all areas of her work. She obviously enjoys what she does - preparing meals for Juvenile Hall minors and staff as well as ECF minors and staff. Preparing approximately 1,500 meals daily is no easy task but Brenda and the ECF Kitchen staff rise to the occasion with ease and style! Cooking is a love that she has grown up with. Her mother was a Cook all the years Brenda was growing up and she elected to follow in mom's footsteps. Brenda says "a recipe is just a guide - you must incorporate your own personal touch" and that she does without fail in every dish she prepares both at home AND at work. Her supervisor, Porfy Gomez, reports "Brenda is a quick learner, good leader and eager to assume responsibility. She is organized, an excellent teacher and a very conscientious cook. Her special attention to detail always results in obvious excellence in the final product. She cares about her work and it shows.

October 2003 – Lauren Martinez Lauren Martinez was temporarily upgraded to a to a DPO IV In May of 1998 and assigned to Superior Court, which she admits was a challenging assignment. After completing her upgrade, Lauren was reassigned to Adult Field Services and, in July 1999, was promoted to a permanent DPO IV. She was assigned as a lead officer in the Juvenile Court Services Unit. In August of 2002, Lauren was assigned to the Community Service Work Program (CSWP). She was responsible for supervision of permanent and Extra-Help Juvenile Correctional Officer’s. She’s responsible for the scheduling, coordinating of work sites, inventory of equipment, and is a liaison to the community. Lauren has also taken on the added responsibility of learning placement tasks. She has volunteered to supervise caseloads due to extended leave of other officers and assists placing officers whenever the need arises. She is truly a team player. She has fully invested herself in learning all aspects of Probation while freely volunteering to help her fellow officers. She truly embodies the spirit of the officers in this department by always being willing to help others and she is certainly worthy of this award.

X-2 October 2003 – Robert Martinez Robert Martinez began his career with the Probation Department as a Juvenile Correctional Officer on May 28, 2001. In that capacity he worked various units, demonstrating exemplary work ethics. Robert later was selected as Recreation Coordinator and eventually promoted to Senior Correctional Officer on March 11, 2003. As the Recreation Coordinator, his organizational skills were demonstrated as he provided recreation activities for nine units at Juvenile Hall. Robert took it upon himself to develop tracking documents for facility volunteers, recreational events, and recreational equipment. He also organized tours of the institution for various community groups and students from local universities. As a Senior Correctional Officer, he has demonstrated his skills by learning the assigned duties quickly and adapting to stressful situations easily. In Robert’s nomination letter, it states that he has helped train new staff and he takes on this responsibility without hesitation. He has become one of the leaders in the Juvenile Hall, due in large part to his work ethic. Robert is willing to step up to the plate, take on new challenges, make appropriate decisions, and take action when needed.

January 2004 – Melanie Evert In March of 2000, Melanie Evert lateraled from Child Protective Services as a Social Worker to the Probation Department as a Probation Officer. Her first assignment was with the misdemeanor Domestic Violence caseload. She worked that caseload for one year when she transferred to the Domestic Violence Felony Bank caseload in March of 2001. In June of 2001, Melanie moved to the Intensive Supervision Domestic Violence caseload where she remains to this date. This is a grant-funded position that requires Melanie to limit her caseload to no more that 30 clients who must be seen no less than once a week. Three of these weekly contacts must be made face to face. These contacts, along with the needed documentation, court reports, and warrant service keeps Melanie very busy. Her caseload consists of the most dangerous of all domestic offenders. Keeping this group of offenders in compliance takes great tenacity and imagination. Melanie loves her assignment. Her positive attitude, strong ethical background, and her genuine enthusiasm have made her a great asset to this department.

February 2004 – Martin Sanchez The Departmental Employee of the Year is Deputy Probation Officer Martin Sanchez. Martin first came to work for the Fresno County Probation Department in December of 1993 when he was hired as a Custodial Care Officer at Juvenile Hall. He was promoted to Senior Group Counselor in February of 1997 and was assigned to “C” unit, until he was hired as a Probation Officer in December of 1997. Martin’s first assignment as a Probation Officer was as a Juvenile Investigator. Approximately eighteen months later he transferred and was assigned to the Domestic Violence Unit as a Felony Field Officer where he remains to this date. Since his arrival in the Adult Division, Martin has been selected as a range master, weaponless defense instructor, and most recently a certified simunitions trainer. He is also a board member of the Deputy Probation Officer’s Association and was recently selected as an orientation cross trainer. Martin participated in the March of Dimes Tip-A-Cop and Mighty Muscle Challenge event to help raise monies for the Special Olympics. Martin brings a positive attitude to the office that effects those who work with him as well as those whom he supervises.

March 2004 – James Davis James Davis began his career with the Probation department in September 2002 as a TAC Officer. He came to the department with a vast amount of experience in the field of Law Enforcement, which has provided an excellent foundation for his duties as a TAC Officer. From the beginning, James approached his job in a manner that was professional, efficient, and enthusiastic. He expressed a strong desire to learn every facet of the job and has never hesitated to step in and assist his fellow staff when needed. James quickly earned the respect of his supervisors, fellow staff, and the Cadets he supervised. As a result of his desire for knowledge and efficiency, and his demonstrated leadership, James was promoted to Senior TAC Officer in March of 2003.

X-3 Since his promotion, James has continued to strive for excellence and has developed into a role model for peers and subordinates alike. In his current assignment, James can always be counted on to run a smooth and efficient program. As a supervisor, he does not hesitate - apart from his supervisory role - to step in and work along side his staff, as well as take the time to help develop their personal skills. Understanding the needs of a 24-hour facility, James routinely steps up and fills in open shifts when needed. As part of the Elkhorn Correctional Facility Training Team, STO Davis provides training to new staff in the areas of Use of Force, Class B Driver Training, Weaponless Defensive Tactics, and other areas as assigned. His excellent work ethic, professionalism, and leadership has earned James Davis respect by all. It is truly a pleasure to honor James as the Employee of the Month for March 2004.

May 2004 – Gerald Schiebelhut Gerald Schiebelhut (Jerry) began his employment on June 10, 2002 as a Stock Clerk for Juvenile Hall. He promoted to Supervising Stock Clerk on May 26, 2003. Mr. Schiebelhut has demonstrated a positive work ethic, which includes taking on new challenges. When Mr. Schiebelhut was promoted, he was given the task of performing the duties of Stock Clerk as well as that of Supervisor. During that period, there was no disruption of services, whether it involved following up and correcting any maintenance problems identified in annual inspections or maintaining adequate inventory levels throughout the Juvenile Hall. He is able to make adjustments with the resources he has been given and ensure that subordinate staff maintain a clean and safe environment for staff and the public. Mr. Schiebelhut’s calm demeanor enables him to address personnel issues and maintain focus on deadlines of other projects that occur through out the day. Also, he has developed desk manuals for Janitorial and Stock Clerk positions.

June 2004 – Scott Darling DPO III Scott Darling’s formidable work ethic and his tenacious work as the chairperson of the Special Activities Committee (SAC) make him an outstanding and well deserving recipient of this recognition. Scott first came to the Probation Department in September of 1997 and was assigned to the Drug Court Unit. He remained there until March of 1998 when he was moved to the Domestic Violence Unit as a misdemeanor case supervisor. He remained in that assignment until he was moved to a felony caseload in May of 1999. He supervised felons for one year when he was then moved to the intensive supervision domestic violence caseload known then as DIVA (now VOISE). Scott worked the DIVA caseload for about two years before he transferred to the Superior Court unit in July of 2002, where he remains to this date. Scott is not one to just settle down into a position. He joined the SAC (Special Activity Committee) in May of 2000 and became the chairperson five months later. The SAC is what Scott calls “the morale boosters for the department.” They organize and promote events such as the Winter Celebration, the Hotdog Extravaganza, and the department picnic. Scott also was selected by the Honorable Judge Jane York to do a presentation for the Court Clerk’s Training Institute at Stanford University in July of 1999. He created the database for the DIVA caseload that is still in use, four years later, by local law enforcement personnel. Additionally, he is the backup Court Officer for Department 96. He works diligently in his assignment and daily on his SAC projects. He is a pleasure to work with and an asset to the department.

July 2004 – Gilbert Sanchez As a lead officer in the Placement Unit, Gilbert Sanchez has trained numerous PSM’s and countless line staff. Each time Gilbert is asked to train a coworker he smiles and goes to work. Mr. Sanchez is an unselfish individual who is highly respected by his colleagues in the department. Gilbert is an expert in the area of foster and group home placements and has developed an excellent rapport with these agencies. Gilbert has a strong work ethic and leads by example. He has been a great mentor for new POs and this PSM. He is always willing to help others and is always professional in his dealings with his peers. Along with all his duties as a lead officer, Gilbert is also a department trainer. He is a Department Assistant Range Master, Chemical Agent Instructor, and Simulations Instructor. He has also attended numerous placement agency meetings as the Probation Department's representative. As noted above Gilbert embodies the professionalism and work ethic of this department. He is always willing to help his peers and does so with an infectious great attitude and smile. His peers greatly appreciate working with him and he is certainly worthy of this award.

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H. A. Sessions (1909-1921)

Mr. Sessions was instrumental in the organization of the Juvenile Court in 1904, serving as its officer without pay until 1911, when he was appointed on a salary. The Parental Home was built under his supervision, and after its completion, he was given charge of it. The detention house was built according to Sessions’ plans and designs.

Some 500 were on record each year. Of this number about 100 dealt with adult and 400 with juveniles.

O.M. Akers (1921-1941)

C.A. “Jack” Tarr (1941-1944)

C.A. ”Jack” Tarr served as Probation Officer starting February 25, 1941 until his death of an apparent heart attack, on August 31, 1944 at the age of 48. He was appointed to that post after having served as undersheriff in 1931.

Tarr was a member of the Los Angeles Police Department from 1914 to 1918. He farmed for a time after coming to Fresno, and then was employed as an engineer for the power company.

Tarr went from a position with the San Joaquin Light and Power Corporation to the undersheriff’s post in 1931. He was then appointed as the Probation Officer by the four Superior Court Judges when Oliver M. Akers resigned the post.

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John M. Ashjian (1944-1955)

John M. Ashjian joined the Probation Department August 1, 1941. Before coming to the Probation Department he was a deputy county clerk serving as clerk for Superior Court Judge T.R. Thompson and in that position was clerk for the Juvenile Court. He succeeded Chief Probation Officer C.A. Tarr who passed away from a heart attack on August 31, 1944.

Ashjian was the vice president of the California Probation and Parole Association from the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valley districts in 1950. He spent the last few years as Chief Probation Officer devoting much of his time working on plans for Juvenile Hall.

He was intensely interested in the youth of Fresno and for the last two years managed the Little League baseball team for the North Fresno Lions Club. He was a member of the board of directors of the Young Men’s Christian Association and was active in the Boy Scout movement.

John Ashjian passed away while still in office from a heart attack December 10, 1955 at the age of 44.

L.B. Stagner (1955-1967)

Mr. Stagner began his career in the Fresno County Probation Department in July 1942, when he was assigned to work in the adult division. He was named Chief Probation Officer in December 1955, succeeding the late John Ashjian.

During Stagner’s term as Chief Probation Officer of Fresno County, he supervised 107 staff, plus 39 juvenile hall staff. Another 20 staff members were added in 1967 to work in the Youth Treatment Center, which opened at Juvenile Hall in July 1967.

As Chief Probation Officer, Stagner instituted programs such as the intensified supervision program in which Deputy Probation Officers worked with small caseloads of seriously disturbed minors.

Lloyd B. Stagner passed away on December 13, 1975, after a short-term illness.

Frank L. Bailey (1967-1971)

James Rowland (1972-1983)

Jim Rowland had a very distinguished career in California corrections. Prior to his appointment as Chief Probation Officer of Fresno County in 1972, he was an administrator in the California Department of Youth Authority and had served as Chief Probation Officer in Kings County. While Chief of Fresno County he was instrumental in creating the “Victim’s Impact Statement”, as part of the Probation Officers report to the court. The California Legislature followed the leadership of Mr. Rowland in crafting legislation that resulted in Victim/Witness services statewide.

Jim was appointed by Governor Deukmajian in 1978 to head the Youth Authority. A few

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years later the Governor appointed him to head the California Department of Corrections. Under his administration the state built several new prisons including the internationally known model of “Pelican Bay”.

He served as the State President of the California Probation, Parole and Correctional Association and was elected as the President of the Chief Probation Officers of California. Because of his appointment to State Service he had to relinquish that honor before being installed.

In recent years, Mr. Rowland was appointed as the Director of Corrections for the country of Malta. Upon his return to the United States, he was appointed as Chief Probation Officer of Napa County.

In addition to the above accomplishments, he has been instrumental in providing leadership for the concept of restorative justice in California probation departments.

Don Hogner (1983-1988)

After graduating from Fresno State University with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, Don Hogner took his first job with Fresno County Probation as a municipal court investigator. His intention was to save up money in order to continue his education, but Don Hogner fell in love with his job.

Don Hogner had a reputation for being a “straight arrow” and a team player. He would fight hard for what he believed in but would always work with everyone to do what was best for the county. Hogner said, ”…In probation, you need the courage to be independent and not to be influenced by the prosecution or the defense. You have to be concerned about public safety and motivated by the belief that people can change.”

Mr. Hogner became the Chief Probation Officer in 1983 and he guided the Fresno County Probation Department until September 5, 1988 when he resigned to accept the top administrator’s position at the Alameda County Probation Department. Upon Mr. Hogner’s departure he was responsible for 323 probation employees and controlled a budget of $12.8 million.

His leadership oversaw the creation of innovative programs like the Adult Offender Work Program and the expansion of Work Furlough and diversion programs. Mr. Hogner was a great advocate of early intervention. He believed that, “…we need to invest our greatest energy in our children. The earlier we can get to them and the earlier we can do some things for them, the greater our likelihood of stopping further contact with the criminal justice system.”

Verne L. Speirs (1989-1995)

Verne L. Speirs was appointed the post as Fresno County Chief Probation Officer in January of 1989, where he was unanimously chosen by a panel of county Superior Court judges. Speirs came to Fresno leaving behind an administrative position for the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention for the Department of Justice in Washington DC. Before going to Washington, he also worked as assistant project director for the State Board of Corrections, and as institutional supervisor for the Sacramento County Probation Department.

During his tenure as Chief Probation Officer, he made several breakthroughs for Fresno County, including the original grant award to build the boot camp, probation officers on school campuses, the first armed probation officers in the Narcotics Enforcement Team and a comprehensive criminal justice needs assessment for Fresno County.

Speirs accepted a position as Sacramento County’s Chief Probation Officer in 1995. “He’s seen it through,” said Lawrence O’Neil presiding Judge of Fresno County Superior Court. “He’s been someone who’s been steady through the storms, and that’s very important to have someone like that. In the criminal justice system, rarely do issues creep in. They come with thunder”.

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Larry R. Price (1995-2005)

Appointed by the Superior Court Judges in December of 1995, Chief Price came to Fresno County after serving eight years as the Chief Probation Officer of Tulare County. Prior to that time, he was employed by the Kern County Probation Department for 18 years where he promoted through the ranks from Deputy Probation Officer to Division Director. He began his career in Criminal Justice as a Police Officer in the City of Fullerton, California.

Chief Price obtained a bachelors degree in Criminology from California State University at Long Beach and a Masters of Public Administration from California State University at Bakersfield. He had the distinction of being among only a few who held the offices of President of the “California Probation, Parole and Correctional Association” (1989) and the President of “The Chief Probation Officers of California” (2002).

His philosophy in administrating the Fresno County Probation Department has included a commitment to prevention, early intervention, community-based supervision and incarceration with treatment, as a balanced model. He liked to describe himself as being “tough on crime and smart on prevention”.

During his tenure the annual budget grew from 23 million to 50 million dollars with permanent staff growing from 391 to 573.

During his administration, the department established a nationally recognized model for primary delinquency prevention know as “Students Targeted with Opportunities for Prevention (STOP)”, and the Elkhorn Correctional Facility, along with its aftercare component knows as “Forward Bound Academy”. The county moved forward in a fifty year master plan for the juvenile facilities and constructed a 480-bed facility at Highway 99 and American Avenue, known as the “Juvenile Justice Campus.” Chief Price stated on the day of ground breaking that, “The Juvenile Justice Campus should depict the image of a commitment by the people of Fresno County to deal with the problems of Juvenile Delinquency in a positive manner. The end goal shall be to redeem the lives of boys and girls who have come to the attention of the juvenile justice system and to turn their lives in a positive direction as law abiding citizens”.

The department established adult and juvenile drug courts along with many alternative sanctions including a “Restorative Justice” model, a day reporting center for juveniles, alcohol and substance abuse treatment programs and installed the “Character Counts” program in the juvenile facilities.

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