Presentation

Navigating the

Probation Department

By: Dionysius Ayala

Overview

Probation officers play a crucial role in monitoring and supporting individuals on probation. Duties include conducting home visits, organizing meetings, and connecting clients with community resources.

Rotation Experiences of the Units

Key Observations

Key Takeaways

Career Impact

Conclusion

This presentation outlines my summer 2024 internship at the Westchester County Probation Dept. My internship experience provided valuable insights into the probation system. Today, I will cover the following key points:

Assigned Units

DV Unit

PSI Observations

Reception

Riverside FSU/DWI Unit & Family Court

South DWI/High Impact

Central DWI

Duty Belt

Vehicle

Baton Training Observation

VOP

Sex Offenders Unit

Specialized Courts

Rotation Experience

&

Observations

DV Unit

SPO Haigh

High risk unit

Drug testing

Drug and alcohol evaluation

APIP–(Abusive Partner Intervention Program)

–Domestic Violence Treatment Program

–Referred weekly

–Mandate to complete 65

Requires Drug testing: Probationers are tested frequently if have drug history Quarterly if have no drug history

DV Unit cont’d

Focus:

Orders of Protection

Stay away -> No contact

Refrain from -> Certain behaviors towards victim

Family Court can issue order of protection if children involved

Misdemeanor/ Felony: Depends on the severity of the case

COMPAS (Correctional Offender Management Profiling)

–Risk Assessment Tool

–Risk Levels: Low, Med, High

–Level dropped with completion of ______

DV Unit

PO Contreras

Officer Contreras has established rapport with her probationers. She not only supervises but she takes time to listen to them as she asks questions. She is very caring.

Has 32 cases divided and see 30 probationers in one week

I observed a mandated drug testing

Has a system in place where she does the following:

Mon–Paperwork, phone calls, reports

Tues & Wed–Interview

Thurs–Field work with partner

Fri–Flex Day

DV Unit

PO Mirano

Officer Mirano added more insightful information

DV cases takes precedence.

If an officer gets a case and it’s someone they know, the SPO will transfer the case to another PO due to conflict of interest and for safety concerns.

Field supervision (Home visit) for six months before considering dropping the risk level

Violations →Back to Court → Probation time pauses

Vehicles:

–Parked in the basement

–Warrants team go out at 6am

–EVAC training driving course to learn how to operate the vehicle

–Buddy pairing comes from above

PSI Observations

PO Salvati

The process involves probation officers gathering detailed information about offenders:

Background

Criminal History

Personal Circumstances

This report assists the judge to determine the appropriate sentence

Caseload Explorer

–Case information

–Track offender progress

–Generates PSI reports efficiently and accurately

Pre Sentencing Investigation is an interview with PSI officer to determine what sentencing the offender should get. This is the first person the probationer will see in the dept.

Reception

Mia

Greet probationer

Lookup PO name

Find probationer’s name

Place in waiting room

Add probationer’s name to Reception Log (Sign in sheet)

If the probationer has a NYSID they will be in the system

–Only fill out ‘Central Intake Form’

If don’t have a NYSID

–Fill out big packet

Riverside FSU/DWI Unit & Family Court

SPO Casey

No jail time for youth

PSI

PINS 12-18 yrs old (out of control youth)

Diversion Program→Adjusted Services Intake

–3-5 months

–Monthly drug testing

–Home visits

–Required to write a one page essay on what they learned from their experience

Riverside FSU/DWI Unit & Family Court cont’d

On this day was a main reporting day

Wednesdays is field day

Probation officers are flexible with schedule

Use COMPAS Assessment tool

High Impact Unit

–Gang and Gun crimes→High Risk

Riverside FSU/DWI Unit & Family Court

PO Gonzalez

Officer Gonzalez was very detailed

Online Reporting(not for everyone)

–Probationers must be doing well/excellent

–Have no other pending/new cases

–No drug use

–Low risk once a month

Drug tests

–Strips not as accurate as the urine tests

–Drug last longer in urine

Riverside DWI

SPO Garcia

Briefing on New Pilot Program

Interim Program→Six month interim probation

First time offenders

Three years probation

Work with DA

30 hrs community service

TASC Drug and alcohol evaluation

Attend VIP(Victims Impact Statement)

Compliance Report→Every two months→Total of three reports

Interlock in vehicle

Full compliance in six months gets one year CD

South DWI/High Impact

SPO Denaro

Denaro’s demeanor and sense of humor is the best. He has the utmost presentation tactics, his thorough briefings, and the deliverance of his information were exceptional.

Shadowing SPO Denaro was very engaging especially with his presentations

Bullet proof vest

Central DWI

SPO Perez

This unit, by far, is the largest and has the heaviest caseloads

These officers have so many cases, and this unit comprises of four units that are dedicated to handle DWI cases and are looking to expand to add a fifth unit to balance the workload but has not yet been approved

In my opinion, instead of adding another unit, it should have its own dedicated department

This unit has a Westchester County DWI PO Handbook, a DWI checklist, and the Orders and Conditions for these offenders contains three parts:

General Conditions

DWI Conditions

Leandra’s Law Conditions

These cases are:

High in recidivism

Most expensive of offenses

Most litigious of crimes

Central DWI cont’d

Requirements

Orders

Initial Assessment

Probation Orders and Conditions(Three parts)

Conditions

Installation of IID

Regular Reporting

Referral for evaluation if probationer discloses that they have feelings of depression/mental health issues

Mandatory Treatment Programs/Meetings

Random Testing

Restricted Driving

Devices

SCRAM(Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor)

–Measures alcohol consumption continuously and tests by measuring perspiration

–If the offender can’t use the SCRAM device, there is a device for them to blow into. In the near future a watch device will be implemented

IID(Ignition Interlock Device)

–A breathalyzer installed in a vehicle

–Designed to prevent individuals convicted DWI from operating the vehicle if they have consumed alcohol

Even if they have a device installed, they are not allowed to drive until they serve revocation period:

Misdemeanor 6 mths

Felony 1 yr

Repeat offender 18 mths

IID must be installed in the crime vehicle within the first 10 days of start of revocation period

At this point some circumvent

Central DWI cont’d

Surveillance

If officer suspect an offender not authorized to drive, they send out a surveillance team to spread out and follow.

Probationers take risks regardless of O & C

Revocations

Violation Detection

–Officers monitor compliance with probation conditions, using tools like IID reports and random testing results

Violation Reporting

–If an offender violates probation terms, the probation officer reports the violation to the court

Revocation Hearing

–For court to review the violation and determine if probation should be revoked

Possible Consequences

–If probation is revoked, the offender may face additional penalties, including incarceration or extended probation with stricter conditions

Duty Belt w/ SPO Denaro

Keepers

Firearm w/ dept issued holster

Two extras of magazines

Pepper spray(No bear spray)

Baton →Requalify/recert every year

–Expendable baton defensive weapon

–Different ways to deploy

–Dept issued 21in/60cm altering not recommended

Taser

Two flashlights

Narcan(Naloxone)

Handcuffs→Classic dept issued Smith and Wesson

Vehicle w/ SPO Denaro

Officer Denaro taught me some pulling over tactics like:

Blinding by focusing light towards rear view mirror

Not to square of at the driver window for safety

Stand at driver side by the pillar

Then we met at the baton training held at Westchester County Police/Probation Academy

Baton Training Observation

Officer Bellettieri

Skills are perishable

Complacency: Always expect the unexpected

Mandatory Quarterly DT(Defense Training)

Goal: To reduce the number of officers killed by their own guns to ZERO

Focus on weapon retention:

–Set of techniques

–Help keep your firearm

–Avoid being disarmed

Techniques: Awareness, Holsters, Positioning, Mental & Physical Training

VOP

PO Diaz

I shadowed Officer Diaz for execution of a VOP(Violation of Probation)

To execute a VOP, officer need to have enough evidence on the case

For example: Not complying with conditions

Probationer went MIA for two months

Check rap sheet

eJusticeNY integrated Justice Portal→Supervision→COMPAS Risk level

Probationer not found in Penal System→No Mercy→Execute VOP

Sex Offenders Unit

SPO G. Diaz

Regulations and Restrictions

Residence restrictions

Curfew

No contact order

Internet usage monitoring

Regular reporting

Treatment programs

Employment restrictions

Polygraph testing

GPS monitoring

Community notification

Residence Restrictions: Sex offenders may be prohibited from living near schools, parks, or other places where children gather.

Curfew: Imposed curfews requiring offenders to be at their residence during specified hours.

No Contact Orders: Prohibition from contacting victims or other specified individuals.

Internet Usage Monitoring: Restrictions on internet usage and possession of certain electronic devices; internet activity may be monitored.

Regular Reporting: Requirement to regularly report to probation officers and attend scheduled appointments.

Treatment Programs: Mandatory participation in sex offender treatment programs.

Employment Restrictions: Limitations on certain types of employment, particularly jobs involving contact with minors.

Polygraph Testing: Periodic polygraph testing to ensure compliance with probation conditions.

GPS Monitoring: In some cases, GPS monitoring to track the offender’s movements.

Community Notification: Compliance with community notification laws, informing local authorities and the public of the offender’s status and residence.

Sex Offenders Unit

PO Tenaglia

Electronic Devices Tracking Software

Computers and Laptops IPPC(Internet Probation & Parole Control)

Smartphones and tablets Internet Monitoring

Gaming Consoles Device Inspections

Wearable Devices Alerts and Reports

Restrictive Measures

Compliance Training

Offenders pay for software installation or they have the options of purchasing a Safe Phone Basics with unlimited calls, optional texting, no wifi, no camera.

IPPC is a tool that helps officers monitor and manage the online activity of offenders

These measures are put in place to enhance public safety and compliance with probation conditions

Specialized Courts

These courts conduct a Compliance hearing

This is a team approach which consists of:

A judge

DA

Offenders Attorney

Probation Officer

Program Director/Supervisor

Veterans Treatment Court

The Veterans Treatment Court is a specialized court designed to address the unique needs of veterans involved in the criminal justice system, focusing on rehabilitation and support

Psychiatric Rehab

–To help veterans manage and overcome mental health issues, including PTSD and substance abuse disorders

Mental Health Component/ModalitieS

–Individual therapy, group therapy, and medication management

Restitution

–May be required to make restitution to victims→Promotes accountability and responsibility

DBT(Dialectical Behavior Therapy)

–To help develop skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness

Veterans work with their treatment team to set short term/long term goals

MRT(Moral Reconation Therapy)

–Implemented to enhance moral reasoning, improve decision-making, and promote prosocial behavior among veterans

Drug Treatment Court

Drug Treatment Court was founded in 1980, Florida

It’s geared towards Restorative/Rehabilitative Justice to give a person hope through positive reinforcement

It’s a great but not easy opportunity

Judicial Diversion Contract

–Agreeing to participate in a structured treatment program as an alternative to incarceration.

PSU(Probation Supervision Unit)

–Monitors offenders to ensure compliance with the terms of the diversion contract and providing support throughout the treatment process

Recommendations

–May include substance abuse counseling, group therapy, and educational programs

Punishment/Sanctions

–Failure to comply with the treatment plan→Court may impose sanctions→Increased supervision to short-term incarceration

Mental Health Services

–Access to mental health services to address any mental health issues that may impact their recovery and compliance with probation conditions.

An incentive matrix is used to encourage compliance and progress in the treatment program

Earn rewards, such as reduced supervision or early completion of the program

Successful completion of the program can lead to a reduction or dismissal of felony charges.

Mental Health Court

Mental Health Court is a specialized court designed to address the needs of probationers with severe mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder

Disabled/SSI

–Disabled and may receive Supplemental Security Income→support services to manage their conditions and financial needs

High level supervision

–Subject to high levels of supervision to ensure compliance with treatment plans and court orders

Drug tested

– Regular drug testing

–To monitor substance use

–Ensure they taking their prescribed medications

–Sobriety

Sex Offenders & DV Court

The Sex Offenders and DV Court is a specialized court that focus on managing and addressing sex offenses and domestic violence cases

These cases consist of a Probation Packet which includes:

Indictment

Local accusatory instrument

Police reports

Complete PSI report

Order and Conditions

Main issues that arise with these offenders is:

Living near schools, parks, or other places where children gather

Visitations with their own children

Result:

A modification of the Orders and Conditions will be considered

Key Takeaways

Challenges and Barriers

Individuals on probation often face financial difficulties, housing instability, and mental health challenges

Probation officers work to address these barriers and facilitate successful reintegration into the community

Rehabilitation Programs

These programs aim to reduce recidivism and promote positive life changes

Collaboration and Community Engagement

Probation officers collaborate with social service agencies, law enforcement, and community organizations to provide comprehensive support to individuals on probation

This multidisciplinary approach is crucial for successful rehabilitation

Career Impact and Personal Growth

This internship has significantly impacted my career aspirations and personal growth by:

Rotating through various units

Observing the daily operations of the probation dept

I have gained a deeper understanding of the criminal justice system and the vital role probation officers play.

This experience has:

Reinforced my interest in pursuing a career in public service

Has helped me develop important skills such as:

–Critical Thinking

–Communication

–Empathy

These skills are essential for working with diverse populations and addressing complex issues.

Thanks

Do you have any questions?