DCJ Director Erika Preuitt
Erika Preuitt is the Director of the Department of Community Justice. Her core value is that people can change. She is committed to evidence based practices, community engagement and community partnership. Her over 20 years of experience within DCJ has helped to shape and anchor these values.
Erika's experience includes working with intensive case management and the Adult Gang Unit as Probation and Parole Officer. She served the Department as Community Justice Manager for 8 years. Her responsibilities were diverse and included supervising Centralized Intake, the Peninsula Field Office, Juvenile Services (Intake, Day Reporting Center and Skill Development program), Day Reporting Center and North District Field Office.
Erika was promoted to District Manager and served DCJ in this capacity for 9 years. She provided leadership and oversight in areas related to the mentally ill, African American Program, Community Partners Reinvestment Program, Justice Involved Women, services to gang members, generic supervision, family services, community service, Day Reporting Center and Londer Learning Center. Erika was the Adult Services Division Director for two years prior to becoming Deputy Director, and then Interim Director.
Erika is also an active member of the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA). She was a participant in the inaugural Leadership Institute and has grown within the association to become a Regional Representative, At Large Representative serving on the Executive Committee, APPA Secretary and now serves the association as President Elect. Erika is honored to be able to serve in leadership roles locally, nationally and international engaging in work that benefits justice involved individuals and the communities in which they live.
DCJ Deputy Director Denise Peña
Denise Peña is the Deputy Director of the Department of Community Justice. She has over 20 years experience working in the criminal justice field providing leadership for the wide range of services to clients, their families and crime victims. For over 3 years, she worked as a Senior Manager in the Adult Services Division (ASD). In her role as a Senior Manager with ASD, she oversaw the Women and Family services unit, the Domestic Violence Unit, East Record/ Administration, Programs Unit, East Generic and Gang/AAP.
In addition to managing a large diverse workforce, she was also involved in development and implementation of our new Parole Officer Training (PTO) training program, hiring of new Probation/Parole officers, developing/managing budgets; managing contracts; leading quality management and change management; consulting other departments and outside agencies.
As a member of OACCD (Oregon Association of Community Corrections Directors), she was the liaison for FVSN (Family Violence Supervision Network) for 8 years as well as part of the legislative subcommittee.
Prior to her role as Senior Manager, Denise was a Community Justice Manager over Victim Services and also co-managed the Domestic Violence (DV) Unit for a time. While managing Victim Services, she was the recipient of the Voices for Justice Award by the National Crime Victim Law Institute (NCVLI) and the Joe Kegans Award for Victim Services in Probation and Parole from the American Probation and Parole Association.
In addition, she was a Parole and Probation Officer (PPO) in the DV Unit for nearly 9 years, and during that time was also a Lead PPO, Survival Skills instructor and EPICS Trainer. Denise has been with Multnomah County for 23 years, 18 of those with DCJ. She holds a B.A. in Liberal Studies.
Adult Services Division Director Jay Scroggin
Jay Scroggin is the Adult Services Division Director for Multnomah County's Department of Community Justice. Jay began his career in community corrections as a Parole-Probation Officer (PPO). He worked in Deschutes, Jefferson, and Umatilla counties, before becoming a criminal justice manager in Clackamas County. Jay served as the Executive Director of the Oregon State Parole Board before coming to Multnomah County. As a Senior Manager with the Adult Services Division, Jay's expertise guided DCJ's Domestic Violence, Sex Offense, Gang, Intake, Reduced Supervision, and Pretrial Services teams. Jay is a native Oregonian, and enjoys spending his free time with family.
