Thursday, 11 January 2007 02:22

Former AC Chief Probation Officer Kriletich’s Extensive Work Causes Recognition On State Level

slide27Calaveras County Chief Probation Officer Michael Kriletich took his place on the podium with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and other prominent law enforcement officials on December 21, 2006 as the Governor unveiled his comprehensive prison reform proposal.  Along with the addition of 16,238 beds in state correctional facilities, and 45,000 local jail beds, the proposal includes a proposed $50 million augmentation to adult probation services for the 2007-2008 budget year and $100 million for both the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 budget years.  The proposal also commits hundreds of millions of dollars to juvenile probation programs. 

slide29 Mr. Kriletich was extended the invitation to appear on the podium with the Governor during the unveiling of the proposal due to his extensive work during the past two years with the Chief Probation Officers of California (CPOC) and representatives of the Governor’s office. 

This work included developing proposed legislation, action plans and proposals for the support of adult services in California as a tool for healthy communities resulting in prison and local jail population reduction. Currently, there are over 300,000 adults on probation in California with only 1,405 deputy probation officers to supervise them.  Due to the high ratio of offenders to probation officers, approximately 52 % of all adult probationers are placed on “banked” caseloads.

These cases are administratively supervised and only produce activity when violations are generated due to arrests. The inability to provide greater supervision is negatively affecting public safety through continued recidivism, the lack of accountability and no measurable changes in the competency development of offenders.  High ratios of offenders to officers, also reduces the offenders respect and expectations of the criminal justice system.

thumb_slide32 “I am very honored and excited to know that our group’s (Chief Probation Officers of California) vision of sorting to the positive in a system that is overloaded and in distress has brought forward the true importance of systems, state and local, working together for the health of our communities” states Kriletich.

Mr. Kriletich, a resident of Calaveras County for 21 years was appointed to the position of Chief Probation Officer for Calaveras County  Prior to his appointment, Mr. Kriletich served as the Chief Probation Officer for the County of Amador.  For more information and photos go to www.gov.ca.gov/news-room in October 2005.