The
Probation Department of the East Boston District Court
recently celebrated its recertification with a special
ceremony at the 37 Meridian Street courthouse.
Since
1995, Probation Officers from the East Boston District
Court Probation Department have made 6,500 home visits
to offenders in the community during non-traditional hours
(evenings and weekends). Probation Officers monitor offeners’ whereabouts
and work diligently to help stop crime in its tracks. Probation
Officers have collaborated with local police and law enforcement
agencies to make 116 arrests for warrants or probation
violations.
The
recertification process measures the effectiveness of probation
officers and their ability to supervise people on probation
in the community.
Recertification
is conducted by eight regional supervisors from the Office
of the Commissioner of Probation, the administrative office
for the Massachusetts Probation Service and the Office
of Community Corrections. The supervisors randomly select
files from each probation officer’s caseload.Each
probation officer is rated on their competence in classifying
a probationer’s risk to the community, ensuring an
offender complies with a judge’s orders, and regularly
meeting with probationers. A probation department qualifies
for recertification if it scores 85 percent or better.
The East Boston District Court Probation Department received
a score of 98.7 percent. The recertification is effective
through May 2005.
“The
East Boston District Court Probation Department is dedicated
to justice and to the community of East Boston. This most
recent certification underscores the dedication and commitment
of our probation officers and staff,” said Albert
Newcomb, East Boston District Court Chief Probation Officer.
The
East Boston District Court Probation Department monitors
578 probationers in the community. Albert Newcomb is the
Chief Probation Officer or manager of the probation department.
Newcomb’s staff includes two assistant Chief Probation
Officers, seven Probation Officers, seven support staff
and three associate probation Officers.
The
Department offers a number of programs to help probationers
improve their quality of life. The programs include the
Fatherhood Program, Relapse Prevention Program, and the
HIV/AIDS Awareness Program. The department collaborates
with the North Shore Gang Intelligence Coalition and Operation
Night Light.
The
Massachusetts Probation Service is a department
of the Massachusetts Trial Court. There are 70
District Court, 12 Superior Court, and 12 Probate
and Family Court probation offices throughout
the Commonwealth. Probation’s Juvenile
Court system includes 11 divisions which represent
every county in the state. The Office of the
Commissioner of Probation (OCP) serves as the
central administrative office for the state Probation
service and the Office of Community Corrections.
