6. Attleboro District Court Probation Officer Helps Country Set Up Court and Prison System.

Attleboro District Court Probation Officer David Powers, a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army National Guard, worked with the Afghanistan Ministry of Justice to help develop standard policies and procedures for the court and prison systems in that country.

7. The Massachusetts Probation Service and City of Boston Enter Partnership to Track Violent Offenders on GPS.

In February 2006, the Massachusetts Probation Service entered a partnership with the City of Boston and the Boston Municipal Court to track violent, high-risk offenders using the GPS (Global Positioning Satellite System) bracelet. This initiative was implemented in communities that had experienced an upsurge in gun violence. There are currently 25 violent offenders being monitored under this initiative, according to Paul Lucci, Deputy Commissioner of Probation.

8. Prince and Wife Added Royal Touch to Cambodian New Year Celebration at Middlesex County Juvenile Court Probation Department

The Middlesex County Juvenile Court Probation Department hosted a royal visit by Cambodian Prince Pheanuroth Sisowath and his wife, Princess Larda Norodom on the occasion of the court’s annual Cambodian New Year celebration in April 2006. Last year’s festivities were coordinated by Middlesex Juvenile Court Probation Officer Timothy Mouth. Both Prince Sisowath and Princess Norodom, each members of the two royal families of the Kingdom of Cambodia, were on a personal visit to Mouth and his family. Sisowath is deputy governor of Phnom Penh, the capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia. The Prince, who is also the cousin of the King of Cambodia Norodom Sihamoni, oversees international relations, commerce, and tourism.

9. Worcester Probate & Family Silver Medalist in Winter 2006 Special Olympics.

Mark Polaski, a 32-year Probation Case Specialist at the Worcester County Probate & Family Probation Department, took home two silver medals after participating in ski events last winter as part of the Special Olympics held at Wachusett Mountain Ski Resort in Princeton.

10. Probation Receives MIAA Award.

The Massachusetts Probation Service was recognized by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) for its three-year effort to maintain order at high school sporting events across the state. The effort is called the Probation Enhancing Athletic Climate Excellence, better known as the PEACE Partnership Community Probation Initiative. Through this initiative, hundreds of Probation Officers have maintained a presence at basketball, football, and hockey championship games where they work with local police to help diffuse violence. Probation Officers are also on hand to identify court-involved individuals who have caused trouble at the games. According to MIAA, the PEACE Partnership is the only one of its kind on the East Coast and possibly the nation.

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