Press Release  DA Addresses Massachusetts Probation Service and Trial Court Employees

Pittsfield — Berkshire District Attorney Andrea Harrington recently spoke to nearly 300 Massachusetts Probation Service and Trial Court employees about her vision for reforming the cash bail system.

DA Harrington presented "Bail Reform: A Vision for Equity, Fairness, and Public Safety" at the Massachusetts Probation Service Training Academy in Clinton earlier this month. Alf Barbalunga, chief probation officer for the Berkshire Southern District Court and president of the Massachusetts Chief Probation Officers' Association, introduced the DA at the special training event for Cultural Proficiency Champions. Also known as CPCs, Cultural Proficiency Champions are Probation Service staff members that voluntarily attend regular diversity trainings and serve as ambassadors at courts and Community Corrections Centers across the Commonwealth.

The four-hour event explored issues of gender, race, ethnicity and inclusiveness. It kicked off planning for the Trial Court's second Annual Cultural Appreciation Week scheduled for September 23-27. Trial Court Chief Justice Paula Carey and Probation Commissioner Edward Dolan also spoke. Deputy Commissioner of Pre-Trial Services Pamerson Ifill, who conceived the regular trainings and annual Cultural Appreciation Week, coordinated and attended the event.

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