Don't miss the Conversation with the Commissioner today, May 10th, at Noon | |
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Commissioner Pamerson Ifill’s 150th day as leader of the
Massachusetts Probation Service
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Probation Commissioner Pamerson Ifill marked his 150th day as the 10th Commissioner of the Massachusetts Probation Service on Thursday, April 25th.
Since Commissioner Ifill was appointed on November 27, 2023, he and his Executive Team set three top priorities: Policy review, employee morale and wellness, and community engagement.
Under Commissioner Ifill’s leadership, several important committees and working groups have been established to assist employees and enhance the operation of MPS while meeting the needs of clients, their families, and the courts.
MPS has the lowest re-incarceration rate in the nation and has been successful in reducing the recidivism rate of probationers by up to 36 percent.
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The Commissioner and the Executive Team hosted a “Conversation with the Commissioner” forum for all MPS employees on January 17th and encouraged them to ask questions and share their concerns. A second “Conversation with the Commissioner,” referred to as "The 4th Quarter of Fiscal Year 2024 (Q4 FY24) Conversation” is being held virtually on Friday, May 10th, at noon.
Commissioner Ifill also pledged to visit all 105 courts that comprise the Massachusetts Probation Service and the 18 Community Justice Support Centers and he is well on his way. He has collectively visited more than 65 courts and Community Justice Support Centers to date.
In the photo, left to right: Michael Coelho, Deputy Commissioner-Programs; Dr. Carmen Gomez, Deputy Commissioner-Pretrial Services; Vincent Lorenti, Executive Director of the Office of Community Corrections; Commissioner Pamerson Ifill; Dianne Fasano, First Deputy Commissioner; Brian Mirasolo, Deputy Commissioner-Field Services; General Counsel Nina Pomponio-Chipman; and Yvonne Roland, Deputy Commissioner-Administrative Services.
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Hiring News
Sunday, May 12th, Mother's Day, is the deadline to apply for these positions: Associate Probation Officer, Probation Case Specialist, and Statewide Associate Probation Officer. See the details below:
Associate Probation Officer (APO) Application
If you are interested in an Associate Probation Officer's position, click here or check out the Employment Opportunities Page on Courtyard for more details.
There are three more open MPS positions:
Probation Case Specialist, (Grade: 7-10) at Franklin/Hampshire Juvenile Court-Greenfield, Administrative, Clerical/Entry Level, Deadline: May 12, 2024
Statewide Associate Probation Officer, Office of the Commissioner of Probation, administrative, Boston. Deadline: May 12, 2024
Legal Chief of Staff- Massachusetts Probation Service, Commissioner of Probation, Boston.
MPS Working Groups begin meeting
and setting goals
Several new working groups have been established to meet the goals of Commissioner Pamerson Ifill and the Executive Team’s top three priorities: Policy review, employee morale and wellness, and community engagement.
The group’s include Policy Review, Morale and Wellness, and Mentorship.
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New Policy Review Working Group
MPS staff and former MPS employees met April 11th as members of a new Policy Review Working Group. The group will review all MPS policies, procedures, and practices.
A review of MPS’ policies is one of the three top priorities of Commissioner Pamerson Ifill and his Executive Team. The other two priorities are employee morale and wellness, and community engagement.
Serving as Senior Policy Advisors to the group are former acting commissioner Ronald Corbett, former regional supervisors Harriet Beasley, Richard O’Neill, and Renee Payne. Working Group members include: Eric Alves (PO), Jessica Alves (program manager), Nancy Cady (PO), Marc Carregal (FACPO), Erie Contreras (RA), Corinn Crowninshield (SS), Shannon Fahey-Merrifield (PO), Carmen Gomez (DC), Claudia Goncalves (POM), Christopher Gray (FACPO), Jeffrey Kyi (ACPO), Jo-Ana Lopez (ACPO), Brian Mirasolo (DC), Anthony Mogavero (ACPO), Michele Mullin (CPO), Clay Petion (POS), Nina Pomponio-Chipman (GC), Deborah Puopolo (POM), Rebecca Ramirez-Abdella (CPO), Marguerite Riley (SS), Michelle Rogers (PO), and Donald Wright (CPO).
Technical support is being provided to the working group by Rhonda Akers (CPO), Natalie Lorenti (pretrial services administrator), Kevin Riley (project manger) and Shiona Rose (CPO).
The group established four sub-committees:
• Community Justice Support Center
• ORAS/OYAS Risk Need Supervision
• Probate and Family Probation
• Violation Practices sub-committee
Click here to read about the Mentorship Group and Legal Updates
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MPS Community Engagement across the Commonwealth
**Reminder: June 28, 2024 is the deadline to submit community engagement expenditures
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MPS employees have hit the ground running with community engagement efforts. Kudos to the employees who have hosted events or engaged with members of the community. The following are examples of events that have taken place.
• Audrey Banks, South Boston District Court Chief Probation Officer, organized the Red Sox Opening Day Community Celebration which was co-hosted by the Devine Recovery Center and the Gavin Foundation. More than 100 members of the Recovery Community attended this event which was held at the Devine Recovery Center. In the photo, left to right: Gavin Foundation President/CEO John McGahan, PO Banks, and Devine Center Director Dave DeCourcey.
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Hampden Superior Court Probation staff participated in the “Hoop it Up" Springfield Basketball Tournament & Summer Job Fair hosted by the Office of Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni. The Probation staff assisted the DA’s Office with running the games, helping with the job fair, and tours of American International College (AIC), the event site. The Probation volunteers included Probation Officers Brennan Cooper, John Sandillo, Ana Santiago, Tatiana Gervacio-Rosario, and Timothy Powis. Hoop it Up is for students, ages 11-18, and is held during April School Vacation Week. Photo, left to right: Probation Officers Brennan Cooper, John Sandillo, Ana Santiago, Tatiana Gervacio-Rosario, and Timothy Powis.
• Jennifer Donahue, Malden District Court Assistant Chief Probation Officer, participated in a First Responders Reading event. ACPO Donahue read to second graders at the St. Joseph's School in Wakefield.
Click here to read more
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Probation Supervision Week is July 21-27
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Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Supervision Week, an observance set by the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA), will take place July 21-27 this year. The theme is “Wellness Unveiled: Navigating the Journey.”
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Cultural Appreciation Week planning efforts are officially underway
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Dr. Carmen Gomez, Deputy Commissioner for Pretrial Services for the Massachusetts Probation Service (MPS), kicked off planning efforts for the Massachusetts Trial Court’s 2024 Cultural Appreciation Week (CAW) last Friday. More than 100 Champions met at the Massachusetts Probation Service Training and Operations Center (MTOC) in Clinton.
This celebration of culture and diversity in courts and communities throughout the Commonwealth will take place October 21-27. Events and activities are also planned for the 18 Community Justice Support Centers. Dr. Gomez has assumed the role formerly held by now Probation Commissioner Pamerson Ifill who introduced the celebration to the Trial Court eight years ago. Commissioner Ifill also organized a group of employees in 2018 to plan the celebrations. The employees are Cultural Proficiency Champions also referred to as Champions. There is now a Champion in almost every courthouse statewide.
During the meeting, Kellie Amazi, administrative attorney in MPS’ Legal Unit, shared her story, experiences, challenges, and opportunties as a "Black, queer, woman." Guest speaker Mary Heafy, President & CPO of The Arc of Opportunity, spoke to the audience about serving individuals with disabilities.
Dr. Gomez revealed the 2024 Signature Courts sites which include:
October 21 Northern Berkshire District Court, Pittsfield District Court
October 22 MTOC, Framingham CJSC
October 23 Northampton District Court and Hampshire Superior Court
October 24 New Bedford District Court, Fall River District Court, Plymouth District Court
October 25 Brooke/Land Court, Somerville DC, and Malden/Cambridge District Courts
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Women's Recovery Court Session Celebrates
Triumphs and Shares Testimonies
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The Women's Recovery Court Session, held at Anthony's in Malden, was a day of celebration, testimony, and empowerment. It was a day when more than 200 women came together to provide encouragement and support or to share their stories of the triumph in the sobriety journey. The theme was "Empowering Women In Recovery: A Day of Celebration," presented by Malden District Court Probation and the Massachusetts Trial Court.
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Angela Ricard, Orleans District Court Probation Officer, was recognized by Cape Cod Community College for her “outstanding contributions and accomplishments” in the criminal justice system. Ms. Ricard, a proud graduate of CCC, described the school as “the platform and catalyst to my academic and professional career.”
Brandi Conn has joined the Massachusetts Probation Service as the new executive assistant for Commissioner Pamerson Ifill. Ms. Conn comes to MPS from Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital where she worked as an executive administrator in Surgery and Oncology. She has an extensive background as an employee in the healthcare field. Ms. Conn earned a Bachelor's Degree in Communication Disorders from Mississippi University for Women and a Master's Degree in Healthcare Administration from Liberty University. Originally from Mississippi, Ms. Conn describes herself as "a huge college football fan." In her spare time, Ms. Conn enjoys making new friends, traveling and is a "huge foodie." She also relishes time spent with her 11-month-old nephew.
Rafael Ortiz, former Worcester Juvenile Probation Officer, was appointed to the Massachusetts Parole Board following a more than three decade career with the Massachusetts Probation Service working with juveniles and emerging adults. Mr. Ortiz is described as “dedicating his career to working in a culturally diverse environment to facilitate re-entry while maintaining community safety.”
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Paul Simone, East Brookfield Chief Probation, will retire in July following a 43-year career with the Massachusetts Probation Service. Mr. Simone first joined MPS as a Worcester Juvenile Probation Officer in 1981. He has also served as a Worcester Juvenile Assistant Chief Probation Officer (ACPO) and a Worcester District Court ACPO, and was hired as East Brookfield District CPO.
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You can access the TCLearning Center from any device?
Here are 3 easy ways:
1) Access it by using this link to log in: https://tclearning.csod.com
2) You can also find this preloaded icon on your Trial Court issued iPhone
which will bring you to the login page:
3) Another option is to add the Cornerstone App to your device:
Log into your TCLearning account on a computer.
On the top right, click the gear icon.
From the drop down, pick ‘My Account’.
On the left under Preferences click ‘Devices’.
On the right click the ‘Add Device’ button.
In the pop-up enter a name, e.g.: ‘My iPhone’ & any 5-digit code then hit
‘Next.’
Now go to the App Store on your device and search ‘Cornerstone’ and click ‘Install’.
Once installed, click open.
Enter Portal name: tclearning.
Enter your TClearning login.
Have questions? Reach out to the Probation Training: Julie.Grady@jud.state.ma.us
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Do you have a story idea or news to share?
Contact Coria at Coria.Holland@jud.state.ma.us
or by text: 617-429-5629
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