On Friday, December 1st, New York City administration officials held a media briefing to shed light on the various resources and initiatives the Department of Probation (DOP) has for those on probation or with loved ones under probation.
Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks, DOP Commissioner Juanita Holmes, and other officials highlighted the department’s multifaceted approach to probation and public safety.
One of the key programs mentioned was the Neighborhood Opportunity Network (NeON), which offers diverse arts, athletics, culinary arts, and more opportunities to adults, young adults, and juveniles on probation.
The officials hoped programs like NeON could create a safer New York. Currently, there are seven DOP NeOn centers spread across five boroughs.
Banks emphasized the transformative potential of providing adequate resources. He stated, “Providing most people with proper resources like job education, literacy training, and emotional help with whatever issues they have can stop them from committing crime.”
The Deputy Mayor also addressed the long-standing perspective on crime prevention, noting, “For many, many years in this country, you know, we look at arresting people as the only way to actually keep order. The reality of the matter is that so many of these people can be saved if we give them the proper resources.”
Probation primarily aims to decrease the likelihood of reoffending, thereby enhancing public safety. It is a substitute for imprisonment, where a judge sentences an individual to community-based corrections.
During the briefing, it was noted that probation can range from one to ten years, depending on the type of offense.
The briefing also addressed the “Raise the Age” law, which now considers 16 and 17-year-olds as juveniles.
Commissioner Holmes explained that misdemeanors and serious crimes like criminal possession of weapons for these age groups are usually referred to family court, with some cases being processed in the youth part of the Supreme Court.
At the press briefing, questions were raised concerning the Department of Probation’s (DOP) collaboration with community-based organizations, particularly within the African community.
Addressing the department’s efforts in engaging with the African and French-speaking communities, Holmes mentioned ongoing efforts to improve language access and to build effective relationships with community-based organizations.
When asked questions focusing on addressing youth criminal involvement, overcoming language barriers, and enhancing general public awareness about the program, Holmes acknowledged the need for better marketing of their programs and shared insights into a recent meeting with the Department of Education, focusing on children aged 13-15 who had not been attending school.
Commissioner Holmes stated, “We will make sure that we put them in an environment where they’re comfortable at least to bring them up to grade level or to bring them up to seventh-grade reading and math level, which is only when you’re going to qualify for a high school equivalency program.”
The DOP, with a staff of approximately 900, including 490 probation officers, handles over 40,000 probation cases annually, consisting of 13,000 adult and 500 juvenile operations. The department’s core function is to reduce recidivism and improve public safety, offering probation as an alternative to incarceration.
The DOP processes nearly all arrested young people aged 12 to 18.
From January to the present, the department has conducted over 6,500 intake interviews with young people, reaching out to victims, arresting officers, schools, and community programs to assess whether a young person is suitable for diversion from court.
In determining whether a young person is suitable for diversion from court, the DOP evaluates several critical factors. These include assessing the individual’s risk factors, considering community safety, considering the victim’s perspective, and the young person’s readiness to engage with intervention programs.
This process typically spans 90 days, possibly extending it by 20 days, subject to court notification.
The diversion program supports these young individuals by offering essential services while ensuring they are held accountable for their actions.
The overarching goal is to deter them from future interactions with the juvenile justice system, focusing on rehabilitation and positive community integration.
Holmes noted, “The most important thing there is removing the young person out of the criminal justice system, which is what we aim to do.”
