NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Jessica Morkert-Shibley, 971-563-3735
B-roll of parole and probation and community health specialists in the field here.
FLICKR photos available here.
Multnomah County celebrates Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Supervision Week #PPPSWeek
PORTLAND, Ore. – July 18 through the 24 is Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Supervision Week. Every year, Multnomah County’s Department of Community Justice (DCJ) — which includes a variety of professionals from probation and parole officers and juvenile court counselors to juvenile custody services specialists, corrections counselors and administrative staff, employment coordinators, victims advocates even community health specialists — recognizes the work these individuals do to meet the department’s vision of “Community Safety through Positive Change.”
These professionals encompass a range of skills, experience and backgrounds. They are often silent partners, yet spend significant time with people in the community while collaborating with community partners, leaders and agencies. They provide core services such as investigations, victim advocacy, community supervision, and response to violations, but they also play a vital role in connections to treatment, employment, even access to basic needs such as food and transportation.
“The past 18+ months have been punctuated by immense challenges and crises,” said Erika Preuitt, director of Multnomah County’s Department of Community Justice. “The COVID-19 pandemic, a series of unprecedented natural disasters and weather events and the epidemic of community violence continues to take a devastating toll on our community. The role of our pretrial, probation and parole professionals — and all the roles in between — are crucial for community safety, prevention, intervention, and healing.”
Multnomah County’s Department of Community Justice includes over 500+ professionals. DCJ staff supervises over 10,000 adults annually, processes over 24,000 cases in our Recognizance unit, receives over 2,200 youth referrals, and serves approximately 875 youth and their families which includes diversion, informal and formal supervision.
Staff have continued to provide services to people involved in the justice system and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes staff who have kept 24/7 operations open in the Juvenile Detention and County Recognizance unit. And many staff have stepped up in response to unprecedented community violence.
Pretrial, probation and parole professionals work in partnership with law enforcement and community agencies towards a shared vision of a safer community. DCJ staff respect victims’ rights and work to provide services and protection for victims. They advocate for the restoration of communities harmed by violence — which are disproportionately communities of color.
This week, we recognize the dedication and passion of these professionals. On Thursday, July 22, 2021, the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners will proclaim July 18 through July 24 Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week.