Commissioner Juanita N. Holmes On The Department Of Probation, The Process Of Probation Length +More
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Speaker 1 (00:03):
What's up.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
It's way up with Angela Yee and this is very exciting.
Speaker 3 (00:07):
You know.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
This week is National Pre Child Probation and Parole Supervision
Week PPPs week, and we had with us Commissioner Janita
and Holmes, who was appointed to the New York City
Department of Probation last year. So thank you for joining us.
Speaker 1 (00:21):
Thank you, thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
And super Fly by the way too, thank you, thank you.
I love to see it. My cousin works there too. Yes,
I know you did, okay, because he's in the.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
Academy right now.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
He's actually in field training, which is great, okay, and
he's enjoying it.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
Yeah, Jason, Ye.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
They've definite. My whole family called me. They were like, so,
we see you have Janita and Commissioner Janita at homes
coming up there. Make sure you tell her that's your cousin, Jason.
But you know what, I give him a tough time.
We don't take a break on it.
Speaker 1 (00:50):
He's doing well, he's doing well.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
All right. Well, anyway, let's talk about the Department of
Probation because I think sometimes people have mixed messages on
exactly what it is that this department does. This is
for people who are not incarcerated, but they are on
probation as an alternative.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
Yes, and a lot of times it gets confused with parole.
It is not parole. Parole is someone that was formerly
incarcerated and released early before you.
Speaker 1 (01:14):
Know the end of their sentence in time.
Speaker 3 (01:17):
The thing about probation which is great, it's the largest
alternative to detention, and it is where individuals are in
what we call community corrections, so they actually get to
stay in their community with their families, you know, their
current employer, things of that nature, and it gives them
(01:37):
a second opportunity to get it right. Naturally, we have
individuals that are under supervision that guess what, they made
a mistake once and they'll never do it again.
Speaker 1 (01:48):
That's the beauty of it.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
But there are there is a population where individuals reoffend.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
Okay, and let's discuss that for a second. Because when
it comes to probation, there's also services that you can
provide to help people make sure that they're getting jobs,
that they're getting the healthcare and things that they need.
Speaker 3 (02:06):
Absolutely, so not just services, but I think what's important
is that we get it right. So the minute they
walk in the door, there's an assessment done, and it
takes into account how they were raised, what community come from,
you know, where you raised with your family, where they married,
your economic status. All of these things were taken into place,
and there are assessment tools that we used that part, yeah,
(02:29):
just to make the you know, the comparison to what
programs and services we would line you up.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
With, you know, Commissioner Homes. I do want to also
point out the fact that you've made history with your
positions too, because looking at you, I mean, it's amazing
because when you think of like a commissioner for a probation,
that's like, it's not what I picture. We think a man,
you know, sometimes we might even think like a white man.
(02:55):
But you are. You made history when you were appointed
chief of Patrol, even overseeing sixteen eight hundred uniform members
and seventy seven precincts and eight patrol boroughs across the city.
You're the highest ranking African American women ever in the NYPD.
I think that's a big deal, and I want to
talk about how you personally got there because you do
come from my family that law enforcement was within the family, right.
Speaker 3 (03:19):
Yes, correct, So I have several sisters that actually work
for NYPD, still currently work for NYPD. But you know,
my career path from the time I was in the
police academy, I would always tell everyone I'm going to
be chief for patrol. Ironically, this is nineteen eighty seven.
They were like, so, what are you gonna be? I said,
I'm going to be chief of patrol, you know. So
(03:40):
it was always a dream of mine. But a lot
of hard work wasn't easy. Weren't a lot of people
that look like me when I came on in nineteen
eighty seven.
Speaker 1 (03:48):
Definitely weren't a lot of women.
Speaker 3 (03:50):
You know, that were part of the New York City
Police Department.
Speaker 1 (03:53):
We've come a long way. Still a small percentage could
do better.
Speaker 3 (03:56):
But the thing is that I was determined, driven, and
I just was focused.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
I can't even imagine what you would have went through, though,
like you said, because back then, during that time, there
weren't a lot of people that look like you.
Speaker 1 (04:07):
There weren't. There wasn't.
Speaker 3 (04:09):
But I can honestly say there was a welcoming forum,
you know, me serving in the NYPD, uh, But I
think there were some challenges really with the community.
Speaker 1 (04:21):
Sometimes I show up at a particular job and They're like,
you're the boss, you know. They looking at me like
you're the boss like that, you know.
Speaker 3 (04:30):
But I tell you, you know, with the with the good
and the bad, right, but I think more good than bad,
and just gave me an opportunity to really help the communities,
especially a lot of underserved communities. That's where I chose
to serve at, right, Yeah, And I think I had
some sort of impact on them.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
Yeah, because I'm always interested in what makes people choose
this as their career because it's not an easy one.
Speaker 1 (04:53):
It's not.
Speaker 3 (04:53):
But it's helping people, you know, people left. That's that's
what it's supposed to do.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
And if you do it right, you do it right.
Speaker 3 (05:03):
And I made it my business to work in Brownsville,
East New York, you know, serving in those communities I'm
born in, you know, bephor Stuyvesant.
Speaker 1 (05:11):
I served in that command as well.
Speaker 3 (05:13):
Because I felt being there, I can give back to
the community, but equally balanced. Right when I'm teaching the
officers that are working for me, because I was the
commanding officer what to do in certain situations and teaching
them about the community and the you know, people that
live there, so.
Speaker 2 (05:30):
Right, you know, you know, when something happens and you
get probation, that is a blessing and you can't mess
up for people because the alternative could be way worse.
So for everybody out there who maybe is on probation
right now, who's listening, what are some things that you
would tell them, like as far as moving forward, because again,
recidivism is something that is that is one of your
(05:50):
challenges and you want to make sure that people stay
on the right path. Like you said, they may have
messed up just one time exactly.
Speaker 3 (05:56):
So it's what I would tell someone on probation is
whatever you need, those services are available to you.
Speaker 1 (06:02):
I don't think enough people know whether you're on.
Speaker 3 (06:05):
Probation or not on probation, there are a lot of
services in the city that we can afford to you
to keep you on a straight path. But more importantly,
we're doing different things in probation. You know, when I
took over in probation, there were programs there. I made
sure that these programs have key performance indicators, that they're
properly assessed, meaning that has successful outcomes for people on probation.
(06:26):
But more importantly, eighty probably about eighty five percent of
our population are men, and these men are twenty four
years and older. They need employment, but on top employment,
they may not be able to read seventh grade level
to get a GHD. So it was important for me
to put these structures in place, especially a lot of
(06:48):
vocational training. Plumbing, we're doing, welding, we implemented commercial driver's
license programs. I'm about giving them meaningful employment, which will
definitely change in their path in the criminal justice system
because it is these jobs people look at o vocational jobs.
Speaker 1 (07:06):
They pay well.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
Tell me about it, because I've paid a lot for
plumbing issues.
Speaker 1 (07:10):
That's racially.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
When you own a business, I feel like you need
some type of like references from you right now because
at my coffee shop, the plumbing is always issues, NonStop. Well,
then these are all things that we need on an
everyday basis. And you're right, those are jobs that pay
extremely well.
Speaker 1 (07:25):
That's right.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
Did you ever imagine yourself in this position? Now? I
know you've said that. You used to say back when
you first started, you would be chief of patrol, but
now you're the commissioner for the New York City Department
of Probation. Is this something that you aspire towards.
Speaker 3 (07:40):
So you know, I think when you're in the police department,
you aspire to be whatever it is in the police department.
So I never really even thought about probation, which is ironic.
But the deputy mayor of a public safety Deputy mayor
of Banks came to me with the opportunity when I
was chief of Training. He mentioned it and I was like, oh,
you know, you know, I'm what I am. I grew
(08:03):
up and matured in NYPD, so that's what I was
comfortable with. But I still did a lot of work
for young people that's comparable to what you do in probation.
So when he asked me to take the position, I said, okay,
I'm open to it, and yeah, I walked in the
door and hit the ground running. But I really believe
that the background that I come from, people would think
(08:25):
total opposite. They would think, oh, you come from police department.
You're putting cuffs on people. Know, there were a lot
of people I didn't put cuffs on. There were a
lot of kids. I told him, get out the precinct.
You're not giving them a summons. They got to grow
up and get a job to So people think, you know,
when you're the police that you're not cutting a brake
for a child, and that's not the case furthest from
the truth. So when I came over to probation, it
(08:49):
was easy for me to pivot into that because that's
always been my personality.
Speaker 2 (08:53):
To beginning with. And that's what I would want to
see somebody like you. I think that you know, as
far as we look at the NYPD, it can be
kind of like us against them, and there's that mentality.
But what you really want is people who want to
see you succeed, who don't want to have to put
you on cups, who don't want to have to, you know,
put that in your life so that later on it's
(09:14):
going to be a hindrance for whatever it is that
you have to do. We want people like that in
those positions, and so I think it's important. And when
you think about, you know, the roles and responsibilities of
the New York City Department of Probation and the services
that you guys offer, just so people can know, like
what are some of the services that you aller.
Speaker 3 (09:33):
So there's health, there's education, there's tutoring, you can get
your high school equivalency. We also have about seven locations
and I think we have two off sites as well
around the city and this is our Neon spaces. Neon
came about and is recognized nationally. It came about so
you allow a personal probation to stay in their community
(09:53):
and visit their probation officer. Okay, so they didn't have
to worry about coffee and things of that nature. And
right it's convenient beca because also that's where they're participating
in their programs or you know, job training. So but
the key is people think it's only people in probation.
It's actually very proactive because any child in that community
can take advantage of those services.
Speaker 2 (10:15):
Right now, that's amazing. Now you talk about when you
took over last year, and I did a little research,
so I see, definitely you've made an impact already as
far as coming from the NYPD, coming from there to probation,
to the Department of Probation. Right, So, what are some
of the things that you've accomplished since you've been there
in the past year.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
Who So there's a lot of administrative work.
Speaker 3 (10:41):
When you talk about policy and procedures and the Department
of Probation, you'd be surprised to know a lot of
it's antiquated from the seventies, so.
Speaker 2 (10:49):
I'm not surpased.
Speaker 3 (10:50):
So tabling that is I think the most challenging thing
because policy is applicable to everything, okay, right, whether it's
the evaluation of the officer, whether it's the programs. So
I think that was my biggest heavy lift that it's
still you know, ongoing, and.
Speaker 1 (11:10):
Also I think the programs, which was key.
Speaker 3 (11:13):
That's probably the first thing I looked at, okay, because
I wanted to see what do you got there?
Speaker 1 (11:16):
Oh you got photography.
Speaker 3 (11:17):
Okay, that's good for social emotional, but it's not going
to pay our young men, right, you know what I'm saying.
It ken in with certain respect, but nine times out
of ten we want something more absolute right to secure
some employment for them. But I love it because it's
something that I support and we've had a lot of
success with it. We've been in a lot of different
studios where a lot of the photos that have been
(11:40):
taken have actually been purchased by people in the community.
Speaker 2 (11:43):
So I love that we can hang them up in
the juice byes and people purchase them from there. We
have a lot of brick wall space that's great to
be able to do things like that. But it is
true when you're looking at certain programs and you're like, Okay,
how effective is this? That also makes people upset when
they're like, okay, now I don't get funding anymore, Like
what's going on with that?
Speaker 1 (12:00):
Yes? So yes, so we've had that experience.
Speaker 2 (12:03):
We've had that experience, and those are hard choices to
have to make.
Speaker 3 (12:06):
They really are, they really are, and people don't understand it.
Like I'm not into cutting programs. I'm into getting the
best fit for our clients and making sure that it
works and that it's going to support them. So yes,
I have cut a progress, but trust me, they're they're
still involved with probation and other different aspects of the programs.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
So okay, And with the Rikers Island do to close?
Because I know they're saying it's going to close in
twenty twenty seven, How does that affect what you do?
Is there? Because I know it is related, but it's
not directly.
Speaker 3 (12:37):
Right, So they are looking to deincarce rate. As you know,
we just started this conditional Release commission, so that's for
early release with certain.
Speaker 1 (12:47):
Conditions for sentenced individuals.
Speaker 3 (12:49):
Because Rikers does have some individual you know, individuals that
are sentenced and now they can apply for early release.
Speaker 1 (12:55):
And what does that.
Speaker 3 (12:55):
Mean if they are approved by the bore There's a
five member board that's in place. If they're approved by
that respective board, they will be assigned to probation. Okay,
So some individuals say, oh I got sentenced to one
hundred and twenty days. I got to have sixty days
to come out. I said, doing one day in Rikers
is too long. So, you know, it's great that they
(13:17):
have that opportunity because by families, they have employment, they
want to get back to it. So it does affect
probation where we'll probably be taking on more clients as
a result of such.
Speaker 2 (13:27):
You know. And also with probation, I know I've heard
people say this, like, oh I was on probation for
such a long time. Even determining the length of time
that someone is on probation, how does that process work?
Speaker 3 (13:37):
So that process is a judge, you know, the judges
make those decisions. They are in charge of sentencing. But
the good thing is when you are complying. That's what
I tell to our probation is out there in New
York City. When you are doing the right thing, and
you're compliant.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
We have an early release. Okay, So you know, which
is a great.
Speaker 3 (13:54):
Thing that we have the you know, decision in making
whether this person qualifies. It still good go back to
court for someone, but at least being able to be
submitted for early release, it's a positive.
Speaker 2 (14:06):
Now, what would you say is the best part of
your job and what would you say is the worst
part of your job?
Speaker 3 (14:10):
I think the best part of my job being creative.
I'm an innovative person. I love to move things forward,
leave your legacy and for the betterment and especially for
the city of New York.
Speaker 1 (14:22):
And we play a critical role in public safety here.
Speaker 3 (14:24):
People don't look at it as such, but when you
have twelve thousand clients out there that are in community corrections,
trust me, you want to reduce forcidivism by making sure
they have what they need. So I think the best
part of my job is it allows me to be
creative and leave the place in a better place and
(14:44):
focus on the individuals working for us. These are our women,
majority women, majority women of color. Yes, and you know,
always saying for us, yes, yes, yes, and you know,
always advocating for them to be making more money, right,
but also wanting to put things in place to make
(15:05):
their life more easier. They've been working in some antiquated circumstances.
We're making it more efficient.
Speaker 2 (15:12):
And the most challenging part, you would say.
Speaker 1 (15:14):
Is the efficiency?
Speaker 2 (15:15):
Okay, all right, yes, yes, And can we talk about
how people if they are interested in a career in
criminal justice or they want to make a difference, what
are some things? How can they find you? How can
they apply? How can they join the Department of Probation.
Speaker 3 (15:31):
Yes, so they can simply go to New York City
dot gov slash probation and actually look at the career opportunities,
employment opportunities, and they can apply for the rarest positions.
Because it's not just probation officers. We have administrative positions
as well, which is key.
Speaker 1 (15:47):
We are hiring. We have a hardcore hiring campaign.
Speaker 3 (15:52):
We are actually hiring individuals that simply have a college
degree and have not even taken the probation exam.
Speaker 1 (15:58):
Okay, right, because the training.
Speaker 3 (16:00):
And probation has been built out from twelve weeks to
five months.
Speaker 1 (16:03):
Oh wow, so it's supports whatever you have to do.
Speaker 2 (16:06):
All right, Well, shout out to my cousin. All Right, Jason,
But you guys can definitely make sure you check that
out because, like she said, you guys are hiring. Somebody
is gonna watch this and be like, one day, I
want to be the commissioner for the New York City
Department of Probation. And I think that's amazing just to
see you here and to let people know that this
is something that I would aspire to want to be,
(16:27):
you know, So thank you so much for coming through.
Speaker 3 (16:28):
Thank you, thank you for having us all right this
way up
What's up.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
It's way up with Angela Yee and this is very exciting.
Speaker 3 (00:07):
You know.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
This week is National Pre Child Probation and Parole Supervision
Week PPPs week, and we had with us Commissioner Janita
and Holmes, who was appointed to the New York City
Department of Probation last year. So thank you for joining us.
Speaker 1 (00:21):
Thank you, thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
And super Fly by the way too, thank you, thank you.
I love to see it. My cousin works there too. Yes,
I know you did, okay, because he's in the.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
Academy right now.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
He's actually in field training, which is great, okay, and
he's enjoying it.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
Yeah, Jason, Ye.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
They've definite. My whole family called me. They were like, so,
we see you have Janita and Commissioner Janita at homes
coming up there. Make sure you tell her that's your cousin, Jason.
But you know what, I give him a tough time.
We don't take a break on it.
Speaker 1 (00:50):
He's doing well, he's doing well.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
All right. Well, anyway, let's talk about the Department of
Probation because I think sometimes people have mixed messages on
exactly what it is that this department does. This is
for people who are not incarcerated, but they are on
probation as an alternative.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
Yes, and a lot of times it gets confused with parole.
It is not parole. Parole is someone that was formerly
incarcerated and released early before you.
Speaker 1 (01:14):
Know the end of their sentence in time.
Speaker 3 (01:17):
The thing about probation which is great, it's the largest
alternative to detention, and it is where individuals are in
what we call community corrections, so they actually get to
stay in their community with their families, you know, their
current employer, things of that nature, and it gives them
(01:37):
a second opportunity to get it right. Naturally, we have
individuals that are under supervision that guess what, they made
a mistake once and they'll never do it again.
Speaker 1 (01:48):
That's the beauty of it.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
But there are there is a population where individuals reoffend.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
Okay, and let's discuss that for a second. Because when
it comes to probation, there's also services that you can
provide to help people make sure that they're getting jobs,
that they're getting the healthcare and things that they need.
Speaker 3 (02:06):
Absolutely, so not just services, but I think what's important
is that we get it right. So the minute they
walk in the door, there's an assessment done, and it
takes into account how they were raised, what community come from,
you know, where you raised with your family, where they married,
your economic status. All of these things were taken into place,
and there are assessment tools that we used that part, yeah,
(02:29):
just to make the you know, the comparison to what
programs and services we would line you up.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
With, you know, Commissioner Homes. I do want to also
point out the fact that you've made history with your
positions too, because looking at you, I mean, it's amazing
because when you think of like a commissioner for a probation,
that's like, it's not what I picture. We think a man,
you know, sometimes we might even think like a white man.
(02:55):
But you are. You made history when you were appointed
chief of Patrol, even overseeing sixteen eight hundred uniform members
and seventy seven precincts and eight patrol boroughs across the city.
You're the highest ranking African American women ever in the NYPD.
I think that's a big deal, and I want to
talk about how you personally got there because you do
come from my family that law enforcement was within the family, right.
Speaker 3 (03:19):
Yes, correct, So I have several sisters that actually work
for NYPD, still currently work for NYPD. But you know,
my career path from the time I was in the
police academy, I would always tell everyone I'm going to
be chief for patrol. Ironically, this is nineteen eighty seven.
They were like, so, what are you gonna be? I said,
I'm going to be chief of patrol, you know. So
(03:40):
it was always a dream of mine. But a lot
of hard work wasn't easy. Weren't a lot of people
that look like me when I came on in nineteen
eighty seven.
Speaker 1 (03:48):
Definitely weren't a lot of women.
Speaker 3 (03:50):
You know, that were part of the New York City
Police Department.
Speaker 1 (03:53):
We've come a long way. Still a small percentage could
do better.
Speaker 3 (03:56):
But the thing is that I was determined, driven, and
I just was focused.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
I can't even imagine what you would have went through, though,
like you said, because back then, during that time, there
weren't a lot of people that look like you.
Speaker 1 (04:07):
There weren't. There wasn't.
Speaker 3 (04:09):
But I can honestly say there was a welcoming forum,
you know, me serving in the NYPD, uh, But I
think there were some challenges really with the community.
Speaker 1 (04:21):
Sometimes I show up at a particular job and They're like,
you're the boss, you know. They looking at me like
you're the boss like that, you know.
Speaker 3 (04:30):
But I tell you, you know, with the with the good
and the bad, right, but I think more good than bad,
and just gave me an opportunity to really help the communities,
especially a lot of underserved communities. That's where I chose
to serve at, right, Yeah, And I think I had
some sort of impact on them.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
Yeah, because I'm always interested in what makes people choose
this as their career because it's not an easy one.
Speaker 1 (04:53):
It's not.
Speaker 3 (04:53):
But it's helping people, you know, people left. That's that's
what it's supposed to do.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
And if you do it right, you do it right.
Speaker 3 (05:03):
And I made it my business to work in Brownsville,
East New York, you know, serving in those communities I'm
born in, you know, bephor Stuyvesant.
Speaker 1 (05:11):
I served in that command as well.
Speaker 3 (05:13):
Because I felt being there, I can give back to
the community, but equally balanced. Right when I'm teaching the
officers that are working for me, because I was the
commanding officer what to do in certain situations and teaching
them about the community and the you know, people that
live there, so.
Speaker 2 (05:30):
Right, you know, you know, when something happens and you
get probation, that is a blessing and you can't mess
up for people because the alternative could be way worse.
So for everybody out there who maybe is on probation
right now, who's listening, what are some things that you
would tell them, like as far as moving forward, because again,
recidivism is something that is that is one of your
(05:50):
challenges and you want to make sure that people stay
on the right path. Like you said, they may have
messed up just one time exactly.
Speaker 3 (05:56):
So it's what I would tell someone on probation is
whatever you need, those services are available to you.
Speaker 1 (06:02):
I don't think enough people know whether you're on.
Speaker 3 (06:05):
Probation or not on probation, there are a lot of
services in the city that we can afford to you
to keep you on a straight path. But more importantly,
we're doing different things in probation. You know, when I
took over in probation, there were programs there. I made
sure that these programs have key performance indicators, that they're
properly assessed, meaning that has successful outcomes for people on probation.
(06:26):
But more importantly, eighty probably about eighty five percent of
our population are men, and these men are twenty four
years and older. They need employment, but on top employment,
they may not be able to read seventh grade level
to get a GHD. So it was important for me
to put these structures in place, especially a lot of
(06:48):
vocational training. Plumbing, we're doing, welding, we implemented commercial driver's
license programs. I'm about giving them meaningful employment, which will
definitely change in their path in the criminal justice system
because it is these jobs people look at o vocational jobs.
Speaker 1 (07:06):
They pay well.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
Tell me about it, because I've paid a lot for
plumbing issues.
Speaker 1 (07:10):
That's racially.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
When you own a business, I feel like you need
some type of like references from you right now because
at my coffee shop, the plumbing is always issues, NonStop. Well,
then these are all things that we need on an
everyday basis. And you're right, those are jobs that pay
extremely well.
Speaker 1 (07:25):
That's right.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
Did you ever imagine yourself in this position? Now? I
know you've said that. You used to say back when
you first started, you would be chief of patrol, but
now you're the commissioner for the New York City Department
of Probation. Is this something that you aspire towards.
Speaker 3 (07:40):
So you know, I think when you're in the police department,
you aspire to be whatever it is in the police department.
So I never really even thought about probation, which is ironic.
But the deputy mayor of a public safety Deputy mayor
of Banks came to me with the opportunity when I
was chief of Training. He mentioned it and I was like, oh,
you know, you know, I'm what I am. I grew
(08:03):
up and matured in NYPD, so that's what I was
comfortable with. But I still did a lot of work
for young people that's comparable to what you do in probation.
So when he asked me to take the position, I said, okay,
I'm open to it, and yeah, I walked in the
door and hit the ground running. But I really believe
that the background that I come from, people would think
(08:25):
total opposite. They would think, oh, you come from police department.
You're putting cuffs on people. Know, there were a lot
of people I didn't put cuffs on. There were a
lot of kids. I told him, get out the precinct.
You're not giving them a summons. They got to grow
up and get a job to So people think, you know,
when you're the police that you're not cutting a brake
for a child, and that's not the case furthest from
the truth. So when I came over to probation, it
(08:49):
was easy for me to pivot into that because that's
always been my personality.
Speaker 2 (08:53):
To beginning with. And that's what I would want to
see somebody like you. I think that you know, as
far as we look at the NYPD, it can be
kind of like us against them, and there's that mentality.
But what you really want is people who want to
see you succeed, who don't want to have to put
you on cups, who don't want to have to, you know,
put that in your life so that later on it's
(09:14):
going to be a hindrance for whatever it is that
you have to do. We want people like that in
those positions, and so I think it's important. And when
you think about, you know, the roles and responsibilities of
the New York City Department of Probation and the services
that you guys offer, just so people can know, like
what are some of the services that you aller.
Speaker 3 (09:33):
So there's health, there's education, there's tutoring, you can get
your high school equivalency. We also have about seven locations
and I think we have two off sites as well
around the city and this is our Neon spaces. Neon
came about and is recognized nationally. It came about so
you allow a personal probation to stay in their community
(09:53):
and visit their probation officer. Okay, so they didn't have
to worry about coffee and things of that nature. And
right it's convenient beca because also that's where they're participating
in their programs or you know, job training. So but
the key is people think it's only people in probation.
It's actually very proactive because any child in that community
can take advantage of those services.
Speaker 2 (10:15):
Right now, that's amazing. Now you talk about when you
took over last year, and I did a little research,
so I see, definitely you've made an impact already as
far as coming from the NYPD, coming from there to probation,
to the Department of Probation. Right, So, what are some
of the things that you've accomplished since you've been there
in the past year.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
Who So there's a lot of administrative work.
Speaker 3 (10:41):
When you talk about policy and procedures and the Department
of Probation, you'd be surprised to know a lot of
it's antiquated from the seventies, so.
Speaker 2 (10:49):
I'm not surpased.
Speaker 3 (10:50):
So tabling that is I think the most challenging thing
because policy is applicable to everything, okay, right, whether it's
the evaluation of the officer, whether it's the programs. So
I think that was my biggest heavy lift that it's
still you know, ongoing, and.
Speaker 1 (11:10):
Also I think the programs, which was key.
Speaker 3 (11:13):
That's probably the first thing I looked at, okay, because
I wanted to see what do you got there?
Speaker 1 (11:16):
Oh you got photography.
Speaker 3 (11:17):
Okay, that's good for social emotional, but it's not going
to pay our young men, right, you know what I'm saying.
It ken in with certain respect, but nine times out
of ten we want something more absolute right to secure
some employment for them. But I love it because it's
something that I support and we've had a lot of
success with it. We've been in a lot of different
studios where a lot of the photos that have been
(11:40):
taken have actually been purchased by people in the community.
Speaker 2 (11:43):
So I love that we can hang them up in
the juice byes and people purchase them from there. We
have a lot of brick wall space that's great to
be able to do things like that. But it is
true when you're looking at certain programs and you're like, Okay,
how effective is this? That also makes people upset when
they're like, okay, now I don't get funding anymore, Like
what's going on with that?
Speaker 1 (12:00):
Yes? So yes, so we've had that experience.
Speaker 2 (12:03):
We've had that experience, and those are hard choices to
have to make.
Speaker 3 (12:06):
They really are, they really are, and people don't understand it.
Like I'm not into cutting programs. I'm into getting the
best fit for our clients and making sure that it
works and that it's going to support them. So yes,
I have cut a progress, but trust me, they're they're
still involved with probation and other different aspects of the programs.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
So okay, And with the Rikers Island do to close?
Because I know they're saying it's going to close in
twenty twenty seven, How does that affect what you do?
Is there? Because I know it is related, but it's
not directly.
Speaker 3 (12:37):
Right, So they are looking to deincarce rate. As you know,
we just started this conditional Release commission, so that's for
early release with certain.
Speaker 1 (12:47):
Conditions for sentenced individuals.
Speaker 3 (12:49):
Because Rikers does have some individual you know, individuals that
are sentenced and now they can apply for early release.
Speaker 1 (12:55):
And what does that.
Speaker 3 (12:55):
Mean if they are approved by the bore There's a
five member board that's in place. If they're approved by
that respective board, they will be assigned to probation. Okay,
So some individuals say, oh I got sentenced to one
hundred and twenty days. I got to have sixty days
to come out. I said, doing one day in Rikers
is too long. So, you know, it's great that they
(13:17):
have that opportunity because by families, they have employment, they
want to get back to it. So it does affect
probation where we'll probably be taking on more clients as
a result of such.
Speaker 2 (13:27):
You know. And also with probation, I know I've heard
people say this, like, oh I was on probation for
such a long time. Even determining the length of time
that someone is on probation, how does that process work?
Speaker 3 (13:37):
So that process is a judge, you know, the judges
make those decisions. They are in charge of sentencing. But
the good thing is when you are complying. That's what
I tell to our probation is out there in New
York City. When you are doing the right thing, and
you're compliant.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
We have an early release. Okay, So you know, which
is a great.
Speaker 3 (13:54):
Thing that we have the you know, decision in making
whether this person qualifies. It still good go back to
court for someone, but at least being able to be
submitted for early release, it's a positive.
Speaker 2 (14:06):
Now, what would you say is the best part of
your job and what would you say is the worst
part of your job?
Speaker 3 (14:10):
I think the best part of my job being creative.
I'm an innovative person. I love to move things forward,
leave your legacy and for the betterment and especially for
the city of New York.
Speaker 1 (14:22):
And we play a critical role in public safety here.
Speaker 3 (14:24):
People don't look at it as such, but when you
have twelve thousand clients out there that are in community corrections,
trust me, you want to reduce forcidivism by making sure
they have what they need. So I think the best
part of my job is it allows me to be
creative and leave the place in a better place and
(14:44):
focus on the individuals working for us. These are our women,
majority women, majority women of color. Yes, and you know,
always saying for us, yes, yes, yes, and you know,
always advocating for them to be making more money, right,
but also wanting to put things in place to make
(15:05):
their life more easier. They've been working in some antiquated circumstances.
We're making it more efficient.
Speaker 2 (15:12):
And the most challenging part, you would say.
Speaker 1 (15:14):
Is the efficiency?
Speaker 2 (15:15):
Okay, all right, yes, yes, And can we talk about
how people if they are interested in a career in
criminal justice or they want to make a difference, what
are some things? How can they find you? How can
they apply? How can they join the Department of Probation.
Speaker 3 (15:31):
Yes, so they can simply go to New York City
dot gov slash probation and actually look at the career opportunities,
employment opportunities, and they can apply for the rarest positions.
Because it's not just probation officers. We have administrative positions
as well, which is key.
Speaker 1 (15:47):
We are hiring. We have a hardcore hiring campaign.
Speaker 3 (15:52):
We are actually hiring individuals that simply have a college
degree and have not even taken the probation exam.
Speaker 1 (15:58):
Okay, right, because the training.
Speaker 3 (16:00):
And probation has been built out from twelve weeks to
five months.
Speaker 1 (16:03):
Oh wow, so it's supports whatever you have to do.
Speaker 2 (16:06):
All right, Well, shout out to my cousin. All Right, Jason,
But you guys can definitely make sure you check that
out because, like she said, you guys are hiring. Somebody
is gonna watch this and be like, one day, I
want to be the commissioner for the New York City
Department of Probation. And I think that's amazing just to
see you here and to let people know that this
is something that I would aspire to want to be,
(16:27):
you know, So thank you so much for coming through.
Speaker 3 (16:28):
Thank you, thank you for having us all right this
way up
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