Press Release  Probation Commissioner Appoints Six New Chief Probation Officers In Courts Across The State

Boston, MA — Commissioner of Probation Edward J. Dolan recently appointed six new Chief Probation Officers in District and Boston Municipal (BMC) courts across the state.

The new chiefs include Donelle Gomes-Talley of Fall River District Court, Jean Curtin of Worcester Superior Court, G. Joseph Pennucci of Lynn District Court, Jeffrey Jarasitis of Brookline District Court, Kelly Hamilton-Welzel of Taunton District Court, and Michael Dube of Boston Municipal Court- Brighton.

“The promotion of these individuals to Chief Probation Officers places them in a critical management and leadership role within the Service. Their selection is recognition of their talent, dedication, and passion for the dual mission of the Service which is to maintain the safety of our communities while guiding those individuals in our care and custody toward a better path in life.” said Commissioner Dolan.

Fall River District Court Chief Donelle Gomes-Talley began her new position on February 8th. Gomes-Talley first joined the service as a Probation Officer at the court in 1988. In May 2013, she was promoted to Assistant Chief Probation Officer. Gomes-Talley earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1987 in Sociology from Boston College. and a masters degree in Rehabilitative Counseling from Assumption College in 1997.

Worcester Superior Court Chief Jean Curtin started her new job on February 7th. Curtin first came to the Service in 1983 to work as an Essex Superior Probation Officer. Two years later, she transferred to Worcester Superior Court. In 2007, she was promoted to Assistant Chief Probation Officer at the court. Curtin earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Westfield State College in 1979 and a master’s degree in Education from Springfield College in Guidance and Psychological Services in 1980.

Lynn District Chief G. Joseph Pennucci assumed his new role on February 8th. Prior to his appointment, Pennucci was Assistant Chief Probation Officer at the Lynn Court, a position he was promoted to in 2005. Pennucci began his career as a Probation Officer in Lynn in 1987. He is a 1984 graduate of Cook College-Rutgers University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics.

Brookline District Court Chief Probation Officer Jeffrey Jarasitis started his new position on February 22nd. A former Assistant Chief Probation Officer at Dedham District Court, Jarasitis first joined the service as a Suffolk Juvenile Probation Officer in 1998. In 2008, he was appointed Assistant Chief Probation Officer at Dedham District Court.
Jarasitis is a 1987 graduate of St. Anslem College where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. In 1997, he earned a masters degree in Communications from Emerson College.

Taunton District Court Chief Probation Officer Kelly Hamilton-Welzel was named chief and began her new job on February 22nd. Hamilton-Welzel has served in the positions of Associate Probation Officer at Fall River District Court, Bristol Superior Probation Officer, Acting Assistant Chief Probation Officer at Bristol Juvenile and Bristol Superior courts, and Assistant Chief at Wrentham District Court. She is a 1993 graduate of Syracuse University where she majored in Public Communications. Hamilton-Welzel holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from Anna Maria College which she earned in 2012.

Boston Municipal Court (BMC)-Brighton Chief Michael Dube will start his new job on February 29th. Dube served as acting chief at BMC-Brighton prior to his appointment as chief. He first joined the Service as a Suffolk Probate & Family Probation Officer in 1995 before transferring to Framingham District Court in 1996. Dube was promoted to Assistant Chief Probation Officer in Framingham in 2013. He is a 1990 alumnus of Merrimack College where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science. He also received a master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Northeastern University in 1992.

There are 62 District Courts and eight divisions of the Boston Municipal Court, including: Brighton, Central, Charlestown, Chelsea, East Boston, Roxbury, South Boston, and West Roxbury. The District and BMC Probation Departments supervise criminal cases.

###