Los Angeles Probation Department

County Probation Department trying to avoid federal takeover

Threatened with a potential federal takeover, the Los Angeles County Probation Department is making progress toward fixing problems at its juvenile camps, but is struggling to achieve all of its reform goals, officials said.

The department is facing a deadline of Oct. 31, when the U.S. Department of Justice could decide to take over the camps, or at least some of their programs, if insufficient progress has been made toward the required reforms.

Chief Probation Officer Donald Blevins said the department's new behavioral treatment program aimed at rehabilitating youths may not be operational at all of the juvenile camps by that date.

"We know by the end of October the treatment program will be up and running in at least five camps, and part of the process will be running in the other camps," Blevins said.

"It's a huge challenge to roll out a treatment plan in 15 different camps, but the training went well, the staff has embraced this, and it's moving forward."

Meanwhile, the Probation Department also has been plagued by delays in closing investigations of child abuse against its officers.

A report released last week by the county Auditor-Controller noted 40percent of such investigations in April had been open for an average of 185 days.

"It's basically because of staffing issues," Blevins said. "We're well aware of the need to catch up on these."

Ron Barrett, the Probation Department's DOJ project manager, said the department has brought on an independent reviewer and is in the process of adding investigators.

Federal monitors have been scrutinizing the department's juvenile camps over the last three years, listing 41 necessary reforms in a settlement agreement.

By Oct. 31, Probation - and other departments that operate at its juvenile halls, such as Mental Health - must achieve "substantial compliance" with the settlement agreement. Otherwise, federal monitors could impose a consent decree and take over the management of the juvenile camps.

Blevins bluntly stated he is "more confident than other people are" that a takeover can be averted, saying "this is such a high priority."

"The reason you don't want a consent decree with the DOJ is, first, you want to run good programs and run your programs the way they're supposed to be run," he said.

Los Angeles Probation Department - News


County Probation Department trying to avoid federal takeover

Threatened with a potential federal takeover, the Los Angeles County Probation Department is making progress toward fixing problems at its juvenile camps, but is struggling to achieve all of its reform goals,



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County Probation Department trying to avoid federal takeover ...

Threatened with a potential federal takeover, the Los Angeles County Probation Department is making progress toward fixing problems at its juvenile camps, but is struggling to achieve all of its reform goals, officials said.

The department is facing a deadline of Oct. 31, when the U.S. Department of Justice could decide to take over the camps, or at least some of their programs, if insufficient progress has been made toward the required reforms.

Chief Probation Officer Donald Blevins said the department's new behavioral treatment program aimed at rehabilitating youths may not be operational at all of the juvenile camps by that date.

"We know by the end of October the treatment program will be up and running in at least five camps, and part of the process will be running in the other camps," Blevins said.

"It's a huge challenge to roll out a treatment plan in 15 different camps, but the training went well, the staff has embraced this, and it's moving forward."

Meanwhile, the Probation Department also has been plagued by delays in closing investigations of child abuse against its officers.

A report released last week by the county Auditor-Controller noted 40percent of such investigations in April had been open for an average of 185 days.

"It's basically because of staffing issues," Blevins said. "We're well aware of the need to catch up on these."

Ron Barrett, the Probation Department's DOJ project manager, said the department has brought on an independent reviewer and is in the process of adding investigators.

Federal monitors have been scrutinizing the department's juvenile camps over the last three years, listing 41 necessary reforms in a settlement agreement.

By Oct. 31, Probation - and other departments that operate at its juvenile halls, such as Mental Health - must achieve "substantial compliance" with the settlement agreement. Otherwise, federal monitors could impose a consent decree and take over the management of the juvenile camps.

Blevins bluntly stated he is "more confident than other people are" that a takeover can be averted, saying "this is such a high priority."

"The reason you don't want a consent decree with the DOJ is, first, you want to run good programs and run your programs the way they're supposed to be run," he said.


Los Angeles Probation Department - Bookshelf

The Pacific reporter

The Pacific reporter

Fredericks & Hanna, of Los Angeles, for petitioner. ... owing to him as chief probation officer of the county of Los Angeles for the month of January, 1915. ...

Journal of the American Institute of Criminal Law and Criminology

Journal of the American Institute of Criminal Law and Criminology

Table I. Delinquency and Dependency, Los Angeles County, 1912 ; 1098 Cases. ... of Mr. Hugh Gibson, chief probation officer, and Judge Curtis D. Wilbur. ...

Los Angeles Magazine

Los Angeles Magazine

But if that fails, he sends the parent to the probation department, where they fill ... Probation officers are a frequent target. Dorn often accuses them of ...

Municipal record

Municipal record

... office, Probation office, members of the Executive Committee of the State Board of Charities and Corrections, and a representative from the Los Angeles ...

Community Corrections

Community Corrections

Promising Community Supervision Volunteer Programs—Los Angeles County Probation Department RESERVE DEPUTY PROBATION OFFICER The Reserve Deputy Probation ...

Web Information Directory


Los Angeles County Probation Department
Probation Services. Community Outreach. Department Contacts. Employment Opportunities ... Los Angeles County Probation Department Copyright All Rights Reserved ...

Los Angeles County Probation Department
East Los Angeles (ELA) Area Office & Intensive Gang Supervision Program (IGSP) ... Los Angeles County Probation Department Copyright All Rights Reserved 2005-2010 - Version 2.6 ...

Los Angeles County Probation Department - Wikipedia, the free ...
The Los Angeles County Probation Department provides services for ... The department was established in 1903 with the enactment of California's first ...

Articles about Los Angeles County Probation Department - Los ...
Los Angeles County Probation Department News. Find breaking news, commentary, and archival information about Los Angeles County Probation Department ...

Sheriff Baca asks for county probation duties for department ...
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